Peer Support Specialist - CADS

• Permanent opportunity
• Part time role 0.75 FTE (30 hours per week)
• Based in Auckland Central

Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) Auckland is looking for another dynamic Peer Support Specialist to join our Medically Managed Withdrawal Service (MMWS) at our new premises at HomeGround, the Auckland City Mission building in Hobson St, Auckland Central.

This is a permanent, part-time position to work 30 hours each week. Hours are rostered and include evenings and weekends. 

He kōrero mō mātou | About us

CADS is the largest Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) service in New Zealand working with over 15000 people each year. CADS provides free community and inpatient AOD treatment from a number of locations across Auckland. CADS is committed to empowering the community to discover healthier use of substances (harm minimisation) and to promote recovery and wellbeing.

He kōrero mō te tūranga | The role

CADS Medically Managed Withdrawal Service is for people who have a physical dependence (e.g. alcohol, methamphetamine, benzos, opiates) and who require medical support to withdraw or reduce their use or to stabilise on medications. The current team consists of nurses, doctors, a consumer liaison, peer support, and a physiotherapist.

Our Peer Support Specialists work alongside our clinical and non-clinical staff to provide individualised and collective support to our clients because together, clinical and peer roles can achieve great things! Working in our team you will: 

• Connect with clients before they come to the unit, support them while they are with us and check in with them after they leave
• Support clients to identify and build their recovery capital through personal, social and community connections
• Facilitate and co-facilitate groups (training available) 

He kōrero mōu | About you

We are looking for people with a person-centred and strengths-focused approach, who understand the importance of CHIME: connectedness, hope, positive identity, meaning and empowerment. Each day is different so you need to be flexible and adaptable. You also need to have: 

• Your own personal lived experience of substance use and recovery (essential). Ideally, you will have undertaken a medically managed withdrawal though this is not essential 
• Resilience having worked through life’s challenges and you continue to use the skills and supports you have gained in recovery 
• Ability to be a positive role model to others with a good sense of humour and remaining calm under pressure. You work within an ethical framework with strong boundaries 
• An established personal support system 
• Cultural competence with a commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi 
• Good time management
• Be able to legally drive in New Zealand without restriction 

Professional skills

• Training and/or experience in Peer support (level 4 minimum) or related work and an openness to change and learning 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) 
• Clear verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills including computer skills (email and word processing in particular) 

Ko tā mātou mahi | What we offer

• Competitive salary and paid professional registration as per our collective agreement 
• 10 days of sick leave annually and 4 weeks annual leave (pro rata) 
• Regular supervision, support and access to training opportunities
• Being part of a large service serving the Auckland Metro region 

Our Values

At Te Whatu Ora Waitematā we are driven by our values “everyone matters,” “with compassion,” “connected” and “better, best, brilliant.” We are committed to living up to these values to give you the right balance of autonomy, support, development, encouragement and aroha.

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

To apply for this position, please do so by visiting our careers page at www.wdhbcareers.com, quoting position number WDHB16877 or by clicking the apply button below.

For a copy of the job description, please click here.

If you have an interest in the Mental Health and Addictions field please contact Keryn Wilson, Charge Nurse Manager on 09 815 5830. For further information on our recruitment process, please contact Katherine Shinhama, Recruitment Consultant on 09 442 7248.

Closing date: 30th November 2023

Position Number: WDHB17524

Please note that police clearance checks are required for this role.