Recovery Specialist

Esperanza Health Center•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Recovery Specialist’s (RS) role is to support others in recovery from various substance use disorders. The RS will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals in order to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The RS must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships. The RS will be expected to co-facilitate or facilitate support groups and must have an understanding of and respect for each individual’s unique path to recovery. The RS must have a working knowledge of the drug and alcohol treatment system and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community.

Requirements

Minimum HS/GED and 3 Letters of Recommendation.
Holds or meets the qualifications for one of the following certifications: Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS), Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Certified Drug or Alcohol Counselor (CADC), Certified Associate Addictions Counselor (CAAC), or similar certifications.
Strong oral communication skills; bilingual in Spanish and English.
Must have worked within the last three years with at least 12 months total of successful part-time or full-time paid or voluntary work experience in the recovery field.
Experience in providing services to individuals with SUD/BH needs.
Intermediate computer skills, including updating client notes in medical records
Solid interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal with people effectively under stress. Must communicate warmth and be able to put people at ease.
Works in harmonious partnership with health center staff to further Esperanza’s mission and vision, to accomplish common goals and objectives.
Ability to share Christian faith and pray with others.
Able to walk, climb stairs; able to lift 10 lbs.
Able to work extensively at a computer keyboard and read fine print on screen.

Responsibilities

Provide recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey, from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance
Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible
Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses regarding recovery
Develops and facilitates patient support groups
Updates client notes in medical records after group or individual interactions
Promote self-advocacy by assisting recovering persons to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals, and objectives established as the focal point of rehabilitation and clinical services
Provides holistic care by integrating faith and practice into patient care
Collaborate with staff to actively identify and support linkages to community resources that support the recovering person’s goals and interests
Help to identify and establish working relationships with appropriate agencies and resources for patient referrals and to enhance patient care
As directed, visit community resources with recovering persons to assist them in becoming familiar with and accessing opportunities.
Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers.
Maintain contact by phone or through a HIPAA-compliant platform with recovering people after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency.
Adheres to strict boundaries and professional ethics in the care of others.
Other duties as directed by staff.