NOTE: 

Temporary grant-funded position with regular status benefits under Article 16.05 - Special Project Vacancies. End date listed is approximate and may be extended pending funding.

Within the context of a patient, client and family-centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, the person promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Patient Care Manager, Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), the OPS Program Coordinator coordinates the day-to-day operations of the OPS. The OPS Program Coordinator is a person who self-identifies as a Peer, meaning a person with lived/living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges. This role works as an embedded team member in the Urban Health and Substance Use (UHSU) Program and works alongside the OPS Peer Support workers, UH Peer Coordinator, UHSU Managers and UHSU Educators to support the daily operations of the OPS for patients and families receiving services at Providence Health Care (PHC). This position acts as an onsite lead resource for patients, OPS peer support workers and healthcare providers by providing leadership and support in service delivery, assessing and communicating to the Patient Care Manager around resource needs, and promoting relationships that are trauma informed, free of anti-Indigenous racism, and person centered.

The OPS Program Coordinator participates in development and implementation of program services and promotes meaningful engagement with Peers to support this work. Performs a variety of duties in the operation of the OPS including communications, maintenance, safety management, site logistics, maintaining workflows, and collecting/submitting data. Supervises OPS Peer Support workers, coordinates and co-facilitates Peer orientation and ongoing training, identifies opportunities for skill enhancement, and provides Peer-based mentoring, leadership skills development and support to Peers working at OPS. Promotes a safe, healthy environment that instills a sense of dignity and self-respect for all peer workers. Performs duties such as supporting adherence to organizational policies and procedures, confidentiality requirements, supporting safety initiatives and creating basic statistical reports and other administrative tasks required by the program. Provides daily staff check-ins, regular debriefs, and assists in maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. Communicates with PHC services including but not limited to: Housekeeping, Food Services, Security and Unit services.

Education, Training and Experience
A level of education and experience equivalent to a recognized Certificate in Social Services or as an Addiction Service Worker plus two (2) years recent, related experience. Lived or living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges. Completion of a recognized Peer Support Training program or commitment to complete of peer support training program within orientation period.
Peer support experience in substance use, mental health, homelessness and/or health services navigation, cultural safety and practices in Indigenous community services, and/or related work in a health care environment or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of principles of peer support practice and ability to apply principles of recovery in mental illness/substance.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles of cultural safety and humility.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to organize work and prioritize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

1. In collaboration with the Patient Care Manager and interdisciplinary team, supports the delivery of care at the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) by supervising Peer support workers coordinating the daily operation of site activities
2. Provides coordination and facilitation of OPS Peer Support Workers work assignments and provides patient support and advocacy from knowledge and lived/living experience to patients and families at the OPS. Liaises with existing Peers already working in the UH/OPS Program regarding services and shared patients.
3. Acts as a content expert, advocate, and provides leadership to peer support workers at the OPS and across PHC’s programs by coaching, guiding and mentoring.
4. Works as an embedded team member in the UH/OPS Program and helps facilitate patient and family access to community health programs, cultural supports, and harm reduction services.
5. Schedules and organizes work assignments, provides work direction, troubleshoots issues, provides input into employee evaluations, participates in the hiring and selection of staff, approves vacation and other leaves and maintains standards and procedures.
6. Identifies, orients, supports and provides training opportunities for Peers; identifies opportunities for, and responds to, requests for Peer involvement in PHC initiatives. This includes scheduling of Peer Worker involvement in any working groups or committee activities, and providing Peer feedback, addressing any concerns, with Manager support, as needed and as required.
7. Identifies staff educational needs in collaboration with the Nurse Educator and Patient Care Manager to ensure current and competent skill level and staff knowledge.
8. Ensures compliance with Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices Guidelines for organizational policies relevant to Peers; interprets policies and advises on any potential changes to policies for quality improvement and service delivery. Formulates new Peer resources in consultation with the Manager and support of other Urban Health department staff.
9. Participates in the evaluation process by ensuring distribution and collection of evaluation forms, summarizes information; obtains feedback and suggestions compiles and distributes reports and required data utilizing word processing, email, spreadsheet and PowerPoint.
10. Compiles and submits weekly data requirements and reports.
11. Acts as a resource for both patients and health care providers by providing emotional support and advocacy, and supporting referrals to ensure health provider relationships are trauma informed, person and family centered, and embedding principles of cultural safety and humility in the delivery of care services.
12. Attends and leads regularly scheduled OPS meetings and provides informal updates to the team on the Overdose Prevention Site.
13. Performs administrative duties such as, preparing statistical reports or summaries, liaising with various internal departments (Housekeeping, Nutritional Services, Security, Unit leadership) and/or community organizations to gather/relay information.
14. Maintains inventory and ordering of supplies, work orders and Maintenance requests.
15. Maintains and updates Site forms.
16. Ensures incident reports are completed and monitors reports to establish patterns and develop further quality and safety improvement initiatives.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.