Recovery Support Specialist

Recovery Support Specialist

Supervisor: Clinical Director

Position Summary:

The Recovery Support Specialist provides advice, assistance, and support to clients in obtaining medical, transportation, community, legal, financial, and other necessary social services. The primary goal of the Recovery Support Specialist is to promote client empowerment and self-sufficiency by helping clients access appropriate clinical and medical care and maintain adherence to treatment.

Additionally, the Recovery Support Specialist works to identify and address barriers to care, develop solutions to client challenges, and facilitate HIV viral load suppression. The position promotes access to and engagement in appropriate services for individuals who are newly diagnosed or identified as living with HIV, as well as those who have been lost to care or are returning to treatment.

Services include client identification, providing information and education, and facilitating referrals and linkages to appropriate services. When appropriate, the Recovery Support Specialist may accompany clients to initial primary care and/or case management appointments.

The Recovery Support Specialist maintains current knowledge of organizations and community resources that provide practical assistance to clients. This position may involve conducting in-home visits or telephone interviews to assess client needs, identifying appropriate services, recommending available resources, and following up with clients to monitor their progress and ensure quality service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Care Coordination, Supportive Services, Six- and Twelve-Month Updates, Referrals, and Follow-Up

• Provide information, referrals, and assistance with linkage to medical and psychosocial services as needed.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to address service gaps and remove barriers to accessing services.
• Assist and empower clients in developing and utilizing independent living skills and strategies.
• Maintain client files by gathering all necessary supporting documentation and assisting with various applications for client services.
• Proactively seek out and develop relationships that encourage positive partnerships between the agency and other organizations, including developing presentations and informational resources for community dissemination.
• Adhere to DC Standards of Care and applicable training guidelines.
• Assume other duties as assigned that may be necessary for the orderly operation of the facility.

Professional Competencies:

• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve agency goals.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity and Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to serve clients and represent the agency.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed expectations within agency parameters.
• Team Player: Work cooperatively and effectively with other staff to establish goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that are always in the best interest of the client.

Educational Requirements:

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required. A master's degree in a mental health-related field is preferred.

Licensure and/or Certification:

• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Valid state driver's license.
• Proof of automobile insurance.
• Ability to utilize a personal vehicle for travel within the region.

Experience:

At least three years of relevant experience, including demonstrated leadership and familiarity with the organization’s operational, financial, quality assurance, and compliance-related functions. Knowledge of DC regulations is required. Must be teamwork-oriented and demonstrate flexibility in work assignments and locations.

Working Environment:

The position involves challenges associated with multiple calls and inquiries and is subject to frequent interruptions and varying, unpredictable situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of computer systems.
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with board members, community leaders, professionals, and staff.
• Knowledge of professional standards and ethics applicable to various disciplines.

Planning:

• Work with the Executive Team to assess, develop, and implement program services appropriate to the needs of clients and their families.
• Establish, review, and implement program policies and procedures.
• Plan, develop, and administer programs with measurable outcomes to support continuous improvement.
• Coordinate regional program services and related behavioral and mental health programs and activities.

Implementation:

• Establish, maintain, and nurture working relationships with referring and other community agencies to ensure a steady flow of eligible clients into programs.
• In consultation with the Executive Team, continuously consider new processes and initiatives to improve and/or expand services as appropriate.
• Resolve problems encountered during daily operations, determine appropriate solutions, and promote teamwork.
• Provide information regarding program goals and objectives, treatment plans, resources, and other pertinent information to appropriate collateral contacts as needed.
• Monitor the compilation of statistical data and maintenance of departmental reports and records, and share appropriate feedback with staff.
• Conduct hiring interviews and select candidates for job openings.
• Provide work instructions, assist employees with difficult and/or unusual assignments, and encourage innovation.
• Conduct research for special projects.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Compliance Officer, prepare and submit written and oral reports.
• Oversee division quality assurance activities, including compliance with regulations, licensure requirements, and accreditation standards (CARF).
• Oversee administrative supervision of division staff. Follow human resources policies when addressing personnel matters, including staff competency.
• Advocate for quality child and family services throughout the community and region using measurable annual division goals and outcomes. Serve on community committees and boards, representing and promoting Creative Pathways, Inc.
• Evaluate programs to ensure appropriate and adequate services and/or treatment for clients and families.
• Maintain liaison relationships between state and local agencies.
• Attend meetings and participate in seminars and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Team.

Leadership Competencies:

Beyond work experience, qualified candidates are expected to demonstrate the core knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to success in a Recovery Support Specialist position within a Core Service Agency and Substance Abuse Agency Program.

Below are the leadership competencies that candidates should possess:

Organizational Agility:

Knowledgeable about how organizations work; knows how to get things done through both formal channels and informal networks; understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures; and understands organizational cultures.

Integrity and Trust:

Is widely trusted and viewed as a direct and truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; maintains confidentiality; admits mistakes; and does not misrepresent themselves for personal gain.

Process Management:

Demonstrates the ability to identify the processes necessary to accomplish tasks; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflows; knows what to measure and how to measure it; can simplify complex processes; and maximizes available resources.

Planning:

Accurately assesses the time and difficulty required for tasks and projects; establishes objectives and goals; breaks down work into manageable steps; develops schedules and task assignments; anticipates and adjusts for problems and obstacles; measures performance against goals; and evaluates results.

Informing:

Provides the information individuals need to perform their jobs effectively and feel connected to the team and organization; provides information that enables individuals to make informed decisions; and communicates information in a timely manner.

Building Effective Teams:

Brings individuals together to form effective teams; creates strong morale and team spirit; shares successes; encourages open dialogue; allows team members to take responsibility for their work; defines success in terms of collective achievement; and fosters a sense of belonging.

Motivating Others:

Creates an environment in which individuals are motivated to perform at their best; understands how to motivate different team members; identifies individual strengths and motivators; delegates tasks and decisions appropriately; empowers others; encourages input and shared ownership; recognizes the importance of each individual's contributions; and fosters a positive and productive working environment.