Peer Support Specialist - Emergency Department

Grow Your Career at Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) At BCHS, we are driven by a bold vision: To Lead Beyond Care. As a two‑site community hospital system in Brantford and Paris, Ontario, we serve with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to the people who rely on us. Brantford General Hospital – Our acute care hospital offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services. The Willett in Paris – Home to our urgent care centre and transitional care services, supporting patients through every step of their healthcare journey. With over 130 years of service, BCHS is evolving with a renewed focus on excellence, collaboration, and innovation. Our strategic priorities center on quality care, connected teams, and a healthy future for our patients, our people, and our community. Our culture is shaped by our core values and pillars. Core Values Be Bold and Courageous Commit to Excellence Champion Equity Be Trustworthy Four Pillars Patient‑First People‑Centred Partnership‑Based Progress‑Focused Why Choose BCHS? Investing in You – Access to a centralized Education Fund, tuition support, and professional development opportunities. Flexible Scheduling – Within a standard work week. Career Growth – Internal job postings, mentorship programs, and leadership development. Predictable Work Locations – Stability and consistency in your work environment. Collaborative Team Culture – Work alongside skilled professionals in a supportive, interdisciplinary setting. Employee Wellness Matters – Peer Support Team, Wellness Committee, free, confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their families. Commitment to Safety – Comprehensive safety programs for all. Competitive Compensation and Benefits – Salaries and benefits designed to align with industry standards, reinforcing our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Excellent Pension Plan. Diversity & Inclusion – We are actively working to diversify our teams and remove systemic barriers in hiring, retention, and advancement. We track and report on our progress because representation matters. We regularly review our benefits, policies, and programs through an equity lens to meet the needs of our diverse teams. Provide accommodations for religious practices and use trauma‑informed policies that support mental wellbeing. Recognition & Rewards – Employee appreciation programs and professional recognition opportunities and Corporate Committee. Community Impact – Make a real difference in patient care and public health every day. Choose Civility – Where every interaction matters. Civility and respect shape our workplace, as individuals treat one another—and the communities we serve—with dignity, empathy, and cultural awareness. We foster a culture of civility by raising awareness, setting clear expectations, and continually reviewing our policies and practices to ensure respect is at the core of everything we do. Position Summary Reporting to the Manager, Outpatient Mental Health, the Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide support to individuals experiencing mental health and addiction concerns in the Emergency Department by applying the Peer Supporter core competencies as developed by Peer Support Canada. The Peer Support Specialist will support clients on their recovery journey by using an anti‑oppressive, person‑centred approach, including support to develop wellness recovery action plans, model self‑management and instill hope. Primary Responsibilities Safety (patient, worker & workplace) is a BCHS Corporate Priority. The successful applicant will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting and mitigation of unsafe acts or conditions. Mandatory Qualifications Post‑secondary education in human services or related field of study. Certificate in Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Current B.C.L.S. Certificate an asset. Non‑violent crisis intervention certificate an asset. The successful candidate in this role will have lived experience of mental health and/or addictions services. Frontline experience in the human services field on a paid or volunteer basis (3‑5 years preferred). Sound understanding of the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Peer Support Competencies. Experience with providing peer support an asset. Core Competencies Clinical competence and commitment to quality patient care. Excellent communication/interpersonal skills. Excellent conflict resolution skills. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. Ability to apply self‑management skill to daily workload and readjust as necessary. Excellent attendance record. Must have good organizational skills to be able to cope with a fluctuating workload. Basic knowledge of community resources. Good working knowledge of an anti‑oppressive and harm reduction approaches. Direct experience and capacity to work with youth including LGBTQ++ and gender fluid issues is considered an asset. Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion BCHS is committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome people from all walks of life, including people of all genders, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, Indigenous identities, abilities, and lived experiences. Inclusion is part of how we deliver better care. We are dedicated to removing barriers and providing accommodations at every stage of the hiring process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodations, please inform us when contacted, and we will work with you to meet your needs. Ready to Make a Difference? If you are passionate about healthcare and looking for a supportive and dynamic work environment, we would love to hear from you! Apply today and join BCHS in delivering exceptional care with compassion and integrity. Only those who meet all requirements will be contacted for an interview. #J-18808-Ljbffr Brant Community Healthcare System