Overview

*This position operates on an as-needed basis to support the full-time team by covering vacations, sick leave, wellness days, and emergencies. Applicants must be available for at least one of the following shifts: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM or 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM. Shift schedules may be adjusted as the program evolves to meet community needs.

About Us:

Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (KAFS) was established in 1972 and is a non-profit organization with a status free open-door policy. KAFS is dedicated to empowering the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities of Kamloops and surrounding areas. KAFS provides culturally appropriate programs and inclusive services that meet the needs of urban Indigenous people to become healthier, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Opportunity:

The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (KAFS) Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) is a newly launched program and will provide an alternative to the presence of police personnel at mental health crisis calls in Kamloops. The team will provide crisis support services that will integrate cultural safety protocols and holistic care options. The mobile team is comprised of a mental health professional and a peer (someone with lived or living experience) will be available during scheduled service hours. This program aims to reduce the harms experienced by people who have mental health and addictions challenges as well as Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2+ and other marginalized individuals.

The Mobile Peer Support Crisis Worker will incorporate experiences in crisis assessment and intervention, de-escalation, harm reduction, suicide prevention, liaise with family members and community members, facilitate client empowerment, anti-oppressive practice, client-centred and recover-oriented care, trauma informed practice, culturally competent care to support individuals 13 years of age and older experiencing mental health and/or substance use related crises in Kamloops.

A day in the life – roles and responsibilities:

  • Supports police or provide an alternative to police intervention at mental health crisis situations
  • Utilizes their personal experiences of mental health and addictions to employ de-escalation strategies and provide suicide and risk assessments and interventions
  • Employs strong assessment skills to develop safety and support plans to address immediate, intermediate and long-term client needs
  • Works collaboratively with the person, their family and other health service providers to facilitate access to community resources as needed
  • Participates in community outreach and liaison opportunities with key stakeholders and partners and maintains trusting, respectful and collaborative relationships with clients, families, colleagues, referral sources, service providers and the public
  • Maintains accurate and timely client records and actively participates in evaluating the project.
  • Work outdoors in all types of weather and in all seasons
  • Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Requirements – what you bring to KAFS:

  • Lived or living experience of mental health and/or substance use (including experiences of homelessness, poverty and other marginalization.
  • A certificate in Social Services or the equivalent from a two-year program and related experience or a minimum of 4 years experience of community mental health and addictions.
  • Knowledge of crisis assessments, concurrent disorders, homelessness, crisis intervention strategies, trauma-informed practice, strengths-based models, client-centred and recovery-oriented approaches
  • Understanding and knowledge of working with persons with mental health and/or addictions issues as well as an understanding of systemic barriers and social determinants of health
  • Knowledge of systemic and structural factors that impact Black, Indigenous, radicalized and LGBTQ2S+ communities
  • Commitment to honor Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, and approach learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
  • Knowledge and/or experience of community services
  • Knowledge of common drugs, their effects, and the toxic drug crisis
  • Advanced overdose recognition and response training
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training
  • Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Ability to maintain a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing approach is required
  • Willingness to participate in on the job on-going training and take outside training including, but not limited to crisis intervention/de-escalation, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, community safety training, Naloxone, Trauma-Informed Practices
  • Good verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills
  • A valid driver’s license is desirable.

Compensation: $25.00 – $29.00 per hour

KAFS is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of color, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs. Preference will be given to applicants of Aboriginal ancestry as per section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code (please self-identity in your cover letter).

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please email your cover letter & resume to [email protected] to apply for this position.

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