Recovery Support Specialist

Recovery Centers of America•Easttown Township, PA

11d

About The Position

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) provides direct support and supervision to patients receiving substance abuse and behavioral health services. Under the direction of the Recovery Support Supervisor and in collaboration with clinical, nursing, and medical staff, the RSS promotes patient safety, engagement, recovery support, and therapeutic milieu management. The role supports patients with daily activities, educational and recreational activities, psychoeducational and recovery-oriented programming, crisis intervention and de-escalation, behavioral and safety monitoring, documentation, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The RSS contributes to a structured, trauma-informed treatment environment and supports individualized patient care through therapeutic engagement and observation. The position operates in behavioral health settings, which may include residential, inpatient, and detoxification environments. It involves frequent interaction with patients experiencing mental health, substance use, emotional, and behavioral challenges, and may include exposure to emotional distress, behavioral escalation, and crisis situations. The work environment is usually moderately noisy. Standard office equipment is routinely used.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with the technology hardware, systems, and tools required to perform duties; training will be provided as needed.
Familiarity with behavior modification and 12-step modality.
Valid driver's license and a safe driving record, as applicable.
Customer service skills, including concern for meeting internal and external customers' needs within available resources.
Problem-solving skills, including identifying problems, involving others in solutions, conducting appropriate analyses, and responding quickly to new challenges.
Communication proficiency, including the ability to choose effective communication styles for different audiences and situations.
Flexibility and adaptability to change, new information, changing conditions, and unexpected obstacles; willingness to assume new responsibilities when patient care requires it.
Time-management skills, including effective prioritization and the ability to manage several tasks at once.
Ability to regularly talk or listen; frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; constantly walk and stand; and occasionally sit, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Ability to regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working in behavioral health and/or substance use disorder treatment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor patient activities and conduct safety checks throughout the shift; complete rounds sheets, therapeutic activity notes, End of Shift reports, and other documentation, including records of patient behavior.
Participate in direct patient care, ensure patient safety, and use trauma-informed approaches when interacting with patients.
Assist patients with activities in their daily schedule.
Recognize signs of emotional distress, escalation, and behavioral instability and respond appropriately.
Assist with de-escalation, behavioral crisis intervention, and emergency response procedures as appropriate.
Promptly communicate patient concerns and observations to appropriate clinical and nursing staff.
Process patient belongings for new admissions and following visitations, including searching, heat treatment, and delivery.
Assist patients with packing belongings in preparation for discharge.
Monitor patient compliance with rules and schedules in the Business Center/Workflex.
Monitor patient activities at the Wellness Center/Fitness Center.
Partner with the Clinical team to conduct New Patient Orientation, if applicable.
Assist with all aspects of the visitation program, including greeting, sign-in, orientation, searches, and belongings processing, if applicable.
Demonstrate understanding of recovery-oriented systems of care, including 12-Step principles, relapse prevention, and patient-centered recovery approaches.
Aid and instruct clients in facilitating and presenting the RCA Clinical Curriculum, with corresponding notes in the medical records system.
Assist with transporting patients and/or patient belongings, as applicable.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality when interacting with patients, residents, families, visitors, referral sources, and other contacts.
Demonstrate supportive and constructive customer relations and communication with coworkers, patients, residents, visitors, families, and referral sources.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.