Peer Navigator

Peer Navigator – Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie, ON)

Position Title: Peer Navigator

Full-Time: 37.5 hrs/week, starting as soon as possible, up to March 31st, 2026, with possibility of extension, pending renewal of funding.

Introduction to Krasman Centre

Incorporated in 1998, Krasman Centre is a community based mental health and addiction Consumer/Survivor Initiative serving York Region, north Toronto and South Simcoe County. All our staff and volunteers are individuals with direct lived experience, of mental health and/or substance use challenges and/or as family members/caregivers, in keeping with our Consumer/Survivor Initiative model. We offer a wide range of peer-support-based programs and services including: 

• Peer Support Drop-In Centres 
• 24/7 Warm Line and Peer Crisis Support Service 
• Mobile Peer Support Outreach 
• Family Support Program 
• Peer Support training programs 
• Peer Navigators embedded in hospitals
• Peer Supporters in Withdrawal Management Programs/Substance Use Services Clinics

More information about Krasman Centre can be found here: www.krasmancentre.com 

Peer Support is a respectful relationship between the Peer Supporter and the individual that promotes empowerment, trust and mutuality and supports individuals to make changes and decisions to address their current level of distress and enhance their recovery and wellness. Peer Support uses recovery-oriented principles with individuals to help combat stigma, raise self-esteem, improve self-concept and instill hope.

Peer Supporters have direct lived experience with mental health / substance use challenges, have gone through a process of recovery and have obtained peer support related training to assist others with similar lived experiences. For this Peer Support position, lived experience with hospitalization regarding mental health distress and/or substance use challenges (emergency department visits and/or hospital “in-patient unit” stays), is a strong asset. The Peer Navigator defines, models, and mentors' recovery values, attitudes, beliefs, and personal actions to encourage wellness and resilience. Activities of peer support promote self-directed recovery by emphasizing the person, rather than the identified mental health, substance use/addiction challenge.

ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT

This key position will support the following Strategic Goals:

• Sustainable Growth
• Operational Excellence
• Health Equity and Inclusion

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Peer Navigator (PN) will work as a member of a diverse inter-professional team to support individuals in their recovery process. Drawing from lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, the role of the PN is to enhance recovery and improve the quality of the “patient” experience in the Emergency Department (ED) and other hospital units as appropriate, and to assist the “patient” with system navigation post discharge for individuals who present at the hospital (RVH). On the adult inpatient unit and the day hospital program, the goal of the Peer Navigator, through individual or group sessions, is to enhance recovery, improve the patient experience, educate patients regarding community resources, and the PN may assist individuals to develop their own Wellness Recovery Action Plan also known as WRAP. The PN also advocates on behalf of patients, as appropriate to the mental health program leadership, for resources and programs that would enhance recovery and quality of care. They can support patients to advocate for their specific needs.

The Peer Navigator is a non-clinical support to the person and as such is intended to be a comfort to the person and a resource to individualized community supports and practical recovery resources/information. The Peer Navigator does not provide counselling or clinical care.

DUTIES:

• Meet with Emergency Department Lead(s) each shift to facilitate connections to people who may benefit from peer support (“Peers”)
• MHA In-patient Unit and Outpatient Program – develop Peer Navigator program with department leads as appropriate, including how to identify and connect with those that may benefit from peer support
• Orient people attending hospital to the peer navigator role including an understanding of the non-clinical role and voluntary nature of peer support
• Orient the peer to the hospital routines and processes and answer questions regarding emergency department (ED), inpatient, and outpatient program procedures.
• Be available to the peer during their wait in ED, or during their “inpatient” admission to provide support in a manner consistent with recovery philosophy, which emphasizes peer and natural support, and the de-escalation of distress
• Provide information on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, “crisis” planning and prevention, empowerment tools as requested by person
• Provide information links regarding resources in the community
• Advocate for the peer as requested by the individual
• Support peers as they transition from the ED to the inpatient unit, by giving information about what to expect on the unit
• Provide follow-up support for individuals who are admitted to the hospital e.g. phone call, visit to inpatient unit, etc.
• Provide follow-up phone contact for individuals who are discharged the day after the ED visit and once more in one week after the visit
• Provide further information or clarification of information by telephone during the first week after the ED visit
• Document/chart as per hospital guidelines and Peer Support values and practices using a strengths-based, recovery philosophy language
• Act as a resource to the Psychiatric Crisis Team, the Emergency Department staff & physicians, and mental health program staff and physicians
• Interact with, establish, and maintain cooperative relationship with RVH staff and physicians
• Comply with hospital policies and procedures as applicable.
• Provide education about recovery and peer support to staff, residents and students as appropriate. As part of the team, you may be expected to contribute to program development, research, and educational activities
• Provide culturally safe and appropriate peer support, reflective of the diverse needs of individuals
• Other duties as assigned/ required

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Personal lived experience with mental health and/ or addiction recovery
• Graduate or current participant in peer support training
• Possess knowledge in the area of recovery education including WRAP & Pathways to Recovery is a strong asset
• Ability to apply Recovery principles, strengths approach and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices in work with consumers
• Knowledge of trauma informed approaches to mental health and addictions issues an asset
• Awareness of issues faced by diverse communities and knowledge and experience and commitment to work from anti-racist, anti-oppressive, cultural safe and appropriate frameworks.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices
• Possess excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills enabling you to work within a collaborative and diverse inter-professional team
• Knowledge of systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment, stigma, medications and the isolation felt by individuals with serious mental health/addiction issues and their families
• Understanding of psychiatric consumer/survivor movement/community is a strong asset
• Knowledge of local supports and services in Simcoe County and surrounding areas including formal and informal resources
• Effective leadership, decision-making, organizational and problem-solving skills are required
• The ability to be flexible, self-directed, self-reflective and supportive
• Ability to work effectively as a team member in a dynamic and fast-paced multi-disciplinary environment is essential
• Provide supports reflective of the needs of the individual and when appropriate their families
• Demonstrate self-awareness and purposeful self-disclosure
• Comfort in using computers
• Bilingualism or the ability to speak a second language is an asset
• Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, and the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPPA requirements
• Current certificate in or ability to complete First Aid and CPR training
• Recent crisis intervention training is a strong asset

OTHER ATTRIBUTES:

• Excellent communication skills; able to successfully communicate with a range of individuals and groups
• Excellent networking and community building skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Excellent objective decision-making skills, using rationale and logic
• An approachable person, able to make others feel at ease in their presence
• Able to work with others in a collaborative and constructive manner
• Able to reflect on the organizational strategy whilst delivering the operational requirements

PEER SUPPORT VALUES:

• Hope and recovery – acknowledging the power of hope and the positive impact that comes from a recovery approach.
• Self-determination – believing that each person intrinsically knows which path towards recovery is most suitable for them and their needs, noting that it is the peer’s choice whether to become involved in a peer support relationship.
• Empathetic and equal relationships – noting that the peer support relationship and all involved can benefit from the reciprocity and better understanding that comes from a similar lived experience.
• Dignity, respect and social inclusion – acknowledging the intrinsic worth of all individuals, whatever their background, preferences or situation.
• Integrity, authenticity and trust – noting that confidentiality, reliability and ethical behaviour are honoured in each and every interaction.
• Health and wellness – acknowledging all aspects of a healthy and full life.
• Lifelong learning and personal growth – acknowledging the value of learning, changing and developing new perspectives for all individuals.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
All employees are responsible for carrying out work in a way that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others. All employees are expected to learn, understand and adhere to health and safety policies and procedures.

Physical requirements of the role include but are not limited to sitting, standing, walking, stairs, light lifting.

Working at RVH requires the following:

• Criminal Records Check
• Immunization Record including recent TB test
• Have received 2 doses of the Covid 19 vaccine expected of all staff, physicians, contractors, learners and volunteers at RVH and Krasman Centre and any additional doses only if mandated by hospital or Ontario Government policies or directives.
• Mask Fit Test (available through RVH)

EQUIPMENT/MACHINERY/TOOLS:
Computer, cell phone provided by Krasman Centre.

SCHEDULE/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Full Time, 37.5 hours/week, contract position until March 31st, 2026 (possibility of renewal pending available funding)
• Position available as soon as possible
• Some evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required. Emergency department volumes, trends and peer (patient) needs are considered in scheduling these positions.
• Salary Range: $23.50 - $26.50 per hour
• Dynamic, fast-paced, self-directed environment
• This is a new position and partnership between RVH and Krasman Centre.

LOCATION: Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie, ON.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Email your resume and cover info@krasmancentre.com
• Your cover letter should include:
• Why you would like to work in this collaborative program and in a Peer Navigator position.
• How your experiences match the job requirements.
• What specific skills you can bring to this role.
• Please quote “Peer Navigator - RVH,” in the title of your email.
• This posting will be Open until filled
• While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Krasman Centre is a progressive work environment committed to employment equity and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Those who would contribute to the organization's further diversification are welcome to apply. These include, but are not limited to, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

If you require assistance with the application process or wish to receive this posting in an alternate format, please contact us:

General email address: info@krasmancentre.com, Toll free phone #: 1-888-780-0724

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process as per the Ontario Human Rights Code.