Recovery Assistant

PHMC • Philadelphia, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

West Haven is a 16-bed long-term structured residence for adults with serious mental illness. Recovery Assistants help residents build and maintain the internal and external supports needed to live independently in the community while ensuring a safe, therapeutic environment. The role supports residents in pursuing recovery goals through relationship-building, coaching, skill development, emotional support, and participation in individual, group, residential, and community activities. Recovery Assistants also maintain resident and facility documentation, communicate with the treatment team and other shifts, and help keep the residence clean and safe.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, at 111 N 49th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139. Duties include supporting residents with activities of daily living, appointments and outings, recovery and safety plans, community integration, and use of public transportation; facilitating groups as assigned; conducting hourly resident checks and environmental rounds; and assisting with household, laundry, kitchen, and cleaning tasks. The position also requires documentation, training attendance, participation in meetings and supervision, and adherence to organizational policies and therapeutic practices.

Requirements

• Completed 12 semester hours of college training in a mental health-related field.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 6 months of formal training or direct-care employment in mental health or a related field.
• Licensed driver in good standing.
• CPR certification within 90 days of employment.
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to become proficient in entering information into the PHMC Electronic Client Service Record (CRS).

Responsibilities

• Build relationships that foster hope and trust in an encouraging, compassionate environment with open communication.
• Help residents identify and develop written recovery goals that support transition to independent community living.
• Support residents in reaching goals through skill-building, coaching, role modeling, and emotional support, individually and in groups.
• Assist residents with personal hygiene, activities of daily living, household skills, travel training, budgeting, socialization, use of resources, illness management, pre-education and vocational support, and problem-solving.
• Participate with residents in residential and community activities, including faith-based activities of their choosing.
• Complete and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly documentation of residents' progress and challenges.
• Work with the treatment team to identify opportunities for community integration and activities.
• Report and document facility maintenance issues; complete incident reports for reportable incidents.
• Maintain the physical condition and cleanliness of the unit, including bathrooms, shared areas, laundry areas, staffing areas, and kitchen and dining spaces.
• Assist residents with laundry as appropriate, including cleaning and folding clothes and ensuring linens are clean and stored properly.
• Perform one-to-one duty as needed and follow assignment sheets for breaks, rounds, and special assignments.
• Attend mandatory in-service and PHMCU trainings, staff meetings, monthly supervision, and shift-change meetings as scheduled; review meeting minutes as required.
• Maintain biannual credentialing requirements, including physical exam, TB, drug, hepatitis, FBI, and Child Abuse screenings.
• Demonstrate appropriate therapeutic interventions, de-escalation techniques, and strengths-based, recovery-oriented care for people with serious mental illness.
• Adapt interventions with sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, economic, and gender-specific issues and apply a basic understanding of psychological and psychosocial factors related to severe mental health issues.
• Communicate pertinent information between shifts and report necessary information and incidents with written documentation.
• Assist residents with personal hygiene and ADL skills throughout the shift and support implementation of Recovery Goals and Safety Plans.
• Participate in daily community meetings and groups and weekly treatment team meetings as directed.
• Escort residents to medical, shopping, and grooming appointments and outings as scheduled or directed.
• Facilitate psycho-educational groups as assigned or necessary.
• Meet daily with assigned primary residents and provide appropriate services and support.
• Assist with kitchen duty, including basic cooking and cleaning, and complete the weekly chore list.
• Help residents prepare for the next day, including selecting clothes and preparing for appointments, trips, and visits.
• Teach residents how to use public transportation.
• Conduct scheduled environmental rounds and hourly resident checks, keeping track of residents' locations within the site.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED