Employment type: full time Peer Navigator - Substance Use Care Pathways - Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), Barrie Position Title: Peer Navigator – RVH Substance Use Care Pathways Status: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) Location: Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), Barrie, Ontario Term: Contract position, ending March 31st 2027, subject to continued funding Salary Range: $25.00–$26.50 per hour ABOUT KRASMAN CENTRE Krasman Centre is a peer-led mental health and addiction organization serving York Region, North Toronto, and Simcoe County. Since 1998, we have provided recoveryoriented, peer-based programs grounded in hope, empowerment, mutuality, social inclusion, and self-determination. All Krasman Centre staff bring lived and/or living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges and use that experience to support others in their recovery journeys. Services include: Peer Support Drop-In Centres Warm Line and Peer Crisis Support Services Mobile Peer Support Outreach Family Peer Support Programs Peer Support Training Programs Hospital-Based Peer Supporters Substance Use and Withdrawal Management Program Peer Supporters For more information, visit Krasman Centre. ABOUT THE ROLE The Peer Navigator – RVH Substance Use Care Pathways is an employee of Krasman Centre, working in collaboration with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre's interdisciplinary Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Pathways team. Using their own lived and/or living experience of substance use, recovery, and navigating health and social service systems, the Peer Supporter provides non-clinical, recoveryoriented support to individuals accessing care related to substance use challenges. The Peer Supporter works alongside physicians, nurses, social workers, addiction specialists, and community partners to support individuals during emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, discharge planning, and transitions to community services. Through the intentional use of lived experience, the Peer Supporter helps foster hope, selfdetermination, connection, and engagement in services identified by the individual's goals and needs. This position supports Ontario Health's Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Pathway by improving access to care, strengthening transitions between hospital and community services, reducing barriers to engagement, and enhancing outcomes for individuals affected by substance use health challenges. The Substance Use Peer Supporter brings lived and living experience expertise to the care team. While working collaboratively with clinical staff, the Peer Supporter maintains a distinct non-clinical role grounded in peer support values, mutuality, recovery, and self-determination. The role does not include counselling, psychotherapy, clinical assessment, diagnosis, case management, or treatment planning. Documentation and interactions reflect the unique contribution of peer support and are designed to strengthen hope, empowerment, social connection, selfadvocacy, and engagement with recovery supports. This distinction is essential to preserving the integrity of the peer support role and ensuring that lived experience remains the primary source of expertise brought to the relationship. The Peer Supporter complements—but does not replace—clinical, therapeutic, or case management services. The role remains intentionally non-clinical and focused on recovery, wellness, system navigation, and peer support. WHAT IS PEER SUPPORT? Peer Support is a voluntary, non-clinical relationship grounded in shared understanding, mutual respect, and lived experience. Peer Supporters use their experiential knowledge to: Offer hope and encouragement Support self-determination and informed choice Reduce stigma and isolation Promote recovery and wellness Assist individuals in navigating services and supports Foster connection and belonging Peer Support complements clinical services but does not include counselling, psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment, case management, or clinical assessment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Direct Peer Support Establish meaningful, supportive relationships with individuals accessing substance use services at RVH. Use lived experience purposefully and appropriately to inspire hope and model recovery. Support individuals in identifying strengths, goals, and recovery resources. Provide emotional support during emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, and discharge planning. Support individuals experiencing substance use and mental health challenges. Engage individuals in a manner that is respectful, person-directed, traumainformed, culturally safe, and recovery-oriented. System Navigation and Care Transitions Assist individuals in understanding available healthcare and community-based supports. Provide information regarding: o Withdrawal management services o Addiction medicine services o Harm reduction programs o Community counselling services o Residential treatment programs o Recovery support programs o Peer support programs/services o Housing supports o Income and social assistance resources o Community health and wellness services Facilitate warm handoffs and referrals to community partners. Support continuity of care following discharge from hospital. Assist individuals in navigating complex health and social service systems. Follow-Up Support Provide virtual (e.g. phone) short-term follow-up support following emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, and discharge. Encourage engagement with recommended services and supports. Help identify and address barriers to accessing treatment and recovery resources. Support connection to ongoing peer support and recovery communities. Interdisciplinary Collaboration Participate as a valued member of the interdisciplinary care team. Collaborate with hospital staff and community organizations to improve participant experiences and transitions of care. Share lived experience perspectives to support service improvement and personcentre