Peer Support Worker (Full-time Permanent)

 

Job Type	Full-time Permanent
Hours	1.00 FTE
Classification	PESW
Department	Mental Health and Addictions
Salary	$31.3225 to $32.5022 per hour As per CUPE LOCAL 822 Collective Agreement
Closing Date	Thursday, March 5, 2026
If this opportunity sounds like a great fit for you and you meet most of the essential qualifications we are looking for, we encourage you to apply and provide us more details about why you think you would be a great fit. LWDH is dedicated to ongoing professional development and continuing education opportunities to enhance skillsets and working experience.

 

Description

Under the direction of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Program manager responsible for the SUD Pathways or designate, the Peer Support Worker (PESW) assists with creating seamless transitions within and between hospital and community services.  This position helps facilitate timely access to the full spectrum of substance use services that are aligned with a client’s goals and preferences. This includes creating individualized care plans and ensuring best practice approaches to assessment, treatment, navigation, and support for individuals and families experiencing substance use disorders (SUD). The PESW is someone who has lived experience and has a blend of education, training and lived experience. The PESW will promote recovery; instill hope and provide a supportive and safe environment where people can talk confidentially and without judgement.

This position acts as a key connection point for patients, offering rapid response to substance use concerns, safety needs, and harm reduction. The PESW facilitates seamless transitions between service providers and supports timely access to the full spectrum of healthcare services. Aligned with the five pillars that include supportive environments, peer support, harm reduction, substance use healthcare, and care transitions and navigation; the goal of this role is to improve access, enhance care quality, and support compassionate, evidence-informed services for individuals affected by substance use within the community.

All services provided must be consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH).

The Peer Support Worker must maintain a safe working environment for themselves, co-workers and clients.

 

Why Work with LWDH? In this position, there are many benefits to joining our team:

• 2 weeks paid vacation
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan enrolment, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans that includes inflation protections, survivor benefits, buyback options, and early retirement
• Desjardin Group Life Insurance coverage that includes basic life insurance, short/long-term disability coverage, and voluntary custom options
• Hospitals of Ontario Disability Income Plan coverage that includes short-term sick pay and long-term disability
• Green Shield Canada extended health benefits for single and family including dental services, prescription, health services, vision, hospital accommodation, etc.
• Relocation and accommodation packages and support
• Access to staff physiotherapy, onsite gym, Employee Assistance Program, staff wellness initiatives, an employee perks program, and much more!

 

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of and support for harm reduction practices and client-centered approaches.
• Personal lived experience with substance use/addiction challenges and recovery.
• Graduate or current participant in peer support training or equivalent experiences.
• Strong knowledge and grounding in Harm Reduction principles and practices.
• Strong knowledge and practice of Anti-Racism and Anti-oppression principles and commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to apply Recovery principles, strengths approach and empowerment- oriented philosophies and practices in work with participants.
• Strong knowledge, understanding and practice of trauma informed approaches to mental health, substance use and addictions issues.                                                                    

• An ability to relate to participants from a peer perspective, as well as communicate to a health care team with an understanding of the recovery model.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and purposeful self-disclosure.
• Ability to work well with Clients, Family Members, Professionals and Agencies of varying ideologies.
• Self-motivation to work independently and interpersonal skills to work well as a team member.
• Must possess a broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for people and make professional referrals.
• Excellent written and documentation skills.
• Understanding of data collection for the purposes of statistical reporting and quality improvement.
• Current certification or the willingness to obtain Naloxone, BLS and CPI certification
• A valid Ontario Driver’s License, with a clean driver’s abstract and regular access to a vehicle is preferred.
• Current Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

   

 

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Qualified applicants may be considered for other comparable positions or within the same classification other than this posted position.

Please prepare your application in accordance with the qualifications posted in the job advertisement. LWDH is a proud and active partner in the All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team, working collaboratively towards the development of a seamless, patient-centre healthcare system. Applications will be screened based on the posted qualifications.

LWDH is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and belongingness in our operations, throughout our workplace, and seeks to employ individuals who are committed to and value these principles.

We believe in and promote the rights of all persons with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA 2005) and its related Accessibility Standards Regulations. To meet this responsibility, LWDH will make appropriate accommodations, including alternative formats available. Please inform Human Resources of any accommodation(s) at any point throughout the recruitment and selection process to ensure your equal participation.

LWDH values the importance of creating a workplace that reflects the population it serves and promotes the representation of the Employment Equity groups as outlined by the Employment Equity Act (1993). Applicants are encouraged to self-declare at the time of application. For more information, to request an accommodation, or to report a frequently publicly posted advertised job posting, please contact the Human Resources Department at 807-468-9861 ext. 2393.