Peer Specialist - Early Psychosis Intervention/LYNX

Overview

The Early Psychosis Intervention (E.P.I.) program delivers public education, assessment, and treatment services for individuals experiencing the early stages of psychosis, and their families. The Peer Specialist provides emotional, social, and practical support for some of the shared challenges that persons with mental health conditions experience. Hope is the starting point from which a journey of recovery begins, and Peer Specialists can inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of recovery. The Peer Specialist position also provides the worker with a vocational recovery opportunity.

Location and Status

Location: Kawartha Lakes & Haliburton County

Status: Full-Time Temporary (12 months)

Posting and Compensation

Posting#: PS-EPI-KL-FTT-10-25

Wage: $28.14 to $29.49 per hour

Application Deadline: 12:00 noon on November 11, 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized psychosocial interventions to Lynx EPI clients
• Participate in the provision of family education/intervention supports and programming
• Provide support to clients with job search/employment skills development
• Assist clients in accessing education upgrading and skills development
• Provide community and residential group instruction and independent living skills programming to clients

An effort is made to match the Peer Specialist’s skills and experience with various client needs and peer support opportunities. A Peer Specialist may be involved in any combination of the following duties (these can change over time as skills and interests develop):

• Social recreation
• Public education
• Group facilitation
• One-to-one peer supports
• Alumni coordination

Client Supports

• Assist clients in the development of empowerment in the recovery process through self-directed recovery choices
• Provide clients with a sense of validation of their own lived experience and the experiences of others
• Assist clients in their efforts to be active in socialization, recreation, education and vocation
• Assist clients in understanding their mental health condition and the recovery process
• Help clients maintain, regain or establish an active and enjoyable lifestyle
• Assist clients in developing positive relationships with friends, family and/or colleagues
• Assist clients in preventing relapse or crises, and respond appropriately if they occur
• Participate in communication and planning for inter-professional treatment team work
• Participate in the development and delivery of group programming, as required

Documentation

• Accurate and timely completion of all administrative documentation including time sheets, expense claims, and training requests
• Timely completion of client data entry/progress notes, as required

Other Activities

• Organize, deliver and evaluate presentations, workshops, public forums and special events (e.g., Open Your Mind for Public Education and Professional Training purposes)
• Coordinate alumni activities including maintaining regular contact and meetings/events with strong social connections
• Ensure activities fall within program budget requirements, in collaboration with the Program Manager
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Lynx E.P.I. program
• Consult with Lynx clients with members of the Lynx E.P.I. team

Performance Management and Professional Development

• Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system
• Stay current on relevant legislation, best practices, current research, policies and procedures
• Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training
• Actively engage in supervisory process

Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities

• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures

Client Safety

• Adhere to CMHA HKPR client safety programs including program policies and infection control measures
• Maintain open communication with clients, family members, and staff to identify and achieve quality outcomes for client safety
• Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate

Other Duties as Assigned

• Attend and participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required
• Participate in agency quality improvement activities (e.g., accreditation projects, committee work, special events)
• Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level
• Participate in external committees as required
• Duties may change from time to time

Requirements of the Position

A. Education and Training

• Successful completion of post-secondary education (diploma or degree) in the social/health science disciplines is preferred. Consideration may be given to applicants with equivalent mental health related skills and experience.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset; however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position.

• Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to):
  • W.H.M.I.S. 2015
  • Infection Prevention & Control
  • Workplace Violence
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Verbal Intervention Training
• Client Record Management System (CRMS)
• First Aid/CPR
• Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCN)

Assets with regard to this position:

• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Level 2 Certification
• Formal training or education in Motivational Interviewing, CBT-informed, DBT-informed, Solution Focused Therapy informed, Trauma-informed, Concurrent Disorders

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

• Two (2) years with recovery oriented lived experience plus one (1) year on the job experience
• Lived experience and knowledge about recovery from psychosis or other mental health conditions
• Personal knowledge of the mental health system, and the ability to share this knowledge with others
• Positive energy and enthusiasm for engaging and motivating young people living with mental illness
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Outlook, MS Office databases)

Competencies

Refer to CMHA HKPR Competency Matrix

Other

• Valid driver’s license is required
• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy
• Satisfactory police records search
• Satisfactory references
• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French is an asset
• Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction
• Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine
• Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required
  • Reliable home internet service and the technology to complete work from a remote location (e.g., computer/laptop, telephone)

Working Conditions

• Works primarily in office or community settings when providing client support in one-to-one or group formats
• Works directly with individuals living with serious mental illness or who are experiencing symptoms of early psychosis
• Works primarily in community agencies and high schools when providing public education
• Flexible hours may be required to meet client needs, including group work and public education in the community
• Work in a remote environment, such as from home, as required