Lead Recovery Advocate

Caron Treatment Centers•Wernersville, PA

About The Position

The Lead Recovery Advocate directly supervises and guides Recovery Advocate staff, including hiring, training, development, performance reviews, timecard and PTO support, and staff coverage planning. The role communicates organizational directives, recognizes employee strengths and growth opportunities, addresses performance issues, and aligns work with Caron’s core values and mission. The Lead Recovery Advocate works on the unit with patients and staff and supports patient admission, transfer, discharge, orientation, programming, appointments, meals, activities, worship, and recovery meetings. The role assists clinical and admissions teams with observing and assessing patient behavior under clinical or administrative supervision, communicating patient concerns, documenting observations, conducting head counts and room checks, supporting safety protocols, de-escalating patients, and teaching recovery-oriented coping skills. Other duties may include patient-service requests, errands, pet care, shipping, dining arrangements, and local activities, as applicable. The position requires walking throughout campus, including stairs; sitting for extended periods as needed; lifting up to 50 pounds; and driving a passenger van or car. Overtime or extended hours, holidays, inclement weather work, and after-hours calls may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Proficient computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
At least 2 years of experience working with substance use disorder patients.
Basic understanding of substance use disorders and recovery program philosophies.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and clearance requirements.
Current, valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
At least 3 years of driving experience for Florida employees or 5 years for Pennsylvania employees.
Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Able to walk and actively participate in activities throughout campus, including ascending and descending stairs; able to sit for prolonged periods as needed.
Able to drive a 15-passenger van or car.
Able to work overtime or extended hours, holidays, and during inclement weather as needed; after-hours calls may be included.

Nice To Haves

2 years of experience directly supervising employees.
For applicants in recovery, 2 years of continuous sobriety.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise Recovery Advocate staff, including interviewing and hiring, training and development, and annual performance appraisals.
Assist with HRIS functions for staff timecards and PTO requests.
Develop, maintain, and adjust staff coverage based on census and organizational needs.
Communicate and model changes in directives and initiatives, recognize staff strengths and development needs, and address disciplinary or performance issues.
Maintain alignment with Caron’s core values and mission.
Assist administrative and clinical staff with patient movement and clinical services, including arrivals, departures, and coordination of meeting, lecture, and worship attendance.
Be present on the unit and engage with staff and patients.
Support patient admission, transfer, and discharge, including luggage checks and transfers, on-person searches, belongings documentation, orientation, and unit tours.
Organize patient movement for off-campus appointments, scheduled programming, meals, activities, guest speakers, and in-house recovery meetings.
Monitor and direct patients during emergency evacuations.
Assist clinical and admissions teams in monitoring and assessing patient behavior under the supervision or support of clinical or administrative staff.
Assist with elopement, Against Medical Advice, and Against Staff Advice protocols and maintain communication with clinical staff about patient issues.
Conduct and document hourly patient head counts or whereabouts and document patient behavior in the electronic medical record.
De-escalate patients; conduct daily room and perimeter checks and periodic room searches.
Educate patients with behavioral health disorders in recovery-oriented stress management and social, relational, and coping skills.
Conduct the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale when indicated and follow protocols for patients returning from off-site passes, including observation, screenings, and searches.
May present educational lectures using clinically approved materials.
Work with patients to keep common areas clean, neat, safe, and presentable.
Handle patient concerns and emergencies discreetly and professionally, ensuring prompt resolution and follow-up.
Anticipate and fulfill patient requests and maintain a high level of service throughout the patient experience.
Schedule spa services, run errands, support pet care, handle deliveries and shipping, collect dining preferences, assist with dining reservations, and book local activities, when applicable.