Recovery Support Specialist II, Per Diem

University of Massachusetts Medical School•Worcester, MA

About The Position

The Recovery Support Specialist II provides peer recovery support services to patients with substance use disorder (SUD) and will assist patients in achieving sustained recovery as well as functional supervision to those in the Recovery Support Specialist I position. This role facilitates patient access to recovery-oriented substance use disorder treatment, resources, and community recovery groups. It bridges the segregated treatment system into a more holistic care model through providing support across multiple systems of care. The position also supports research project aims and reinforces goals through interactions with participants and staff. The Recovery Support Specialist II maintains ongoing patient support regardless of client relapse and serves as a motivator, ally, role model, problem-solver, and advocate for patients with substance use disorders. This role possesses a thorough understanding of community culture to address barriers to successful recovery, better tailor health messages, build a network of partnerships, and provide links to community resources and treatment options.

Requirements

Current Certification as a Recovery Coach or Peer Specialist.
Minimum of 6 years in sustained recovery.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
Solid understanding of the Internet and Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Reliable transportation and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Strong interpersonal, facilitation, networking, and leadership skills.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, physicians, social workers, research assistants, and nurses.
Strong advocacy skills along with knowledge of community-based services, resources, and local recovery community.
Comfort with multiple pathways to recovery from SUD and willingness to embrace a patient-centered approach that recognizes an individual’s preferences and autonomy (“recovery by any means necessary”).
Comfort in working in both medical and social service settings.
Clinical skills in motivational enhancement strategies.
Ability to provide accurate feedback to participants and employees without judgment or discomfort.
Flexibility to adapt to unforeseen needs or circumstances.
Excels at problem solving and multi-tasking, organized, efficient and goal directed.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with patients/families and staff.
Ability to handle confidential information.

Nice To Haves

Prior leadership experience preferred

Responsibilities

Provide functional supervision of daily activities of Recovery Support Specialist I.
Provide input to Program Director on probationary and annual performance evaluations as well as disciplinary actions as needed.
Assist Program Director with interviewing, hiring, and training new Recovery Support Specialist I employees.
Establish and maintain a network of community partnerships to connect with eligible participants and to sustain connections with community resources for participants.
Serve on advisory boards to inform and strengthen recruitment goals and overall aims of the research project.
Support research through strong connections with participants and employees to facilitate efficient screening procedures and timely follow-up data collection.
Serve as a liaison between the recovery community, the addiction treatment system, the medical treatment system, and the patient’s community, family, and social context to facilitate connections across systems of care.
Engage with patients identified with SUD referred by UMMS.
Meet with patients with SUD prior to discharge and facilitate patient access to next stage of treatment.
Conduct initial needs assessment, review the patient’s SUD history, and identify the patient’s goals and expectations together with clinical staff, facilitate referrals to appropriate disposition options for individual patients.
Work collaboratively with treatment team to implement evidence-based services to patients with SUD.
Help patients navigate the healthcare system and social service system; accompany patients to appointments and meetings as needed.
Provide transportation to clients to attend meetings and appointments as needed.
Educate patients about addiction and utilize motivational enhancement techniques to explore ambiguity and tip the scales towards treatment.
Provide peer counseling and support patients in establishing treatment goals and achieving and maintaining recovery.
Address barriers to successful recovery and serve as role model and advocate.
Conduct active outreach efforts to encourage attendance and participation in recovery-oriented, self-help, and pro-social groups.
Assist with access to treatment for SUD and co-occurring conditions, creating systems and procedures to rapidly identify treatment needs and determine appropriate level of care.
Assist with data collection for quality assurance and program evaluation.
Develop a relapse prevention/intervention plan with patients and care team.
Monitor patients’ progress and evaluate outcome, using a patient tracking system.
Clearly and effectively facilitate communication between the patient, PCP, consulting psychiatrist, and any external providers maintaining appropriate confidentiality procedures and boundaries.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and standardized data on all patients.
Systematically review the caseload with the supervisor each week, focusing on new patients and patients who are having difficulties.