Recovery Support Specialist

Overview

Recovery Support Specialists (RSSs) assist clients in defining their goals for recovery and assist them in meeting those goals. The ACT Model involves an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach to providing high intensity rehabilitative services, supports, and interventions to assist clients in achieving their personal recovery goals. Much of this work involves teaching clients the skills necessary to successfully manage their illness, and live as independently as possible. In addition, RSSs link clients to services and professionals that can assist in the clients’ recovery. Forming trusting relationships that are therapeutic and supportive is the manner in which Recovery Support Specialists are able to be most helpful for clients. As they accompany clients to appointments, visit clients in their homes, and meet with clients where they socialize, worship, and work, recovery support specialists are able to facilitate recovery and integration.

Duties

• Provide ongoing assessment of clients’ wants and needs and facilitate the development and updating of the Individualized Recovery Plan.
• Teach clients how to successfully manage their illness through the development of symptom recognition skills, symptom management skills, and coping skills.
• Teach clients any skill that will facilitate independence and achievement of their recovery goals including daily living skills, interpersonal skills, independent transportation skills and anger management skills.
• Assist and support clients in crisis situations.
• Assist clients in applying for all benefits and entitlements that will provide for their needs, such as SSI, Medicaid, Section 8, energy assistance, and reduced fare metro cards.
• Assist clients in developing natural support networks by locating supports and services in the community such as AA, self-help groups, and recreational centers.
• Locate safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for clients that is appropriate for the level of care that they need; provide support during transition from different types of housing.
• Accompany clients to critical services when necessary, especially critical medical appointments.
• Provide education, support and consultation to clients’ families and support system, as appropriate.
• Document all services provided by billing and writing progress notes the same day the service is provided, but no later than 10AM the next business day; reviewing and updating IRPs every 180 days; and reporting and maintaining all correspondence as often as indicated.
• Provide monitoring when clients are engaged in services with other agencies.
• Participate in the daily ACT Team Meeting.
• Participate in the on-call system that will respond to clients after hours and on weekends.
• Provide advocacy and support for clients as they navigate social, governmental, and community systems.
• Supervision and Performance Management

Supervision Received:

Recovery Support Specialists are supervised by the ACT Clinical Manager who is an approving qualified practitioner. The ACT Clinical Manager is one of the following:

• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Registered Nurse (with psychiatric experience)
• Licensed Professional Counselor

This person is required to have regular and ongoing individual supervision meetings. Staff is expected to take an active role in managing their performance and development. Supervision involves ongoing dialogue and contact between the Recovery Support Specialist and the qualified mental health professional and occurs in individual and group supervision settings. Supervision involves ongoing dialogue and contact between the Recovery Support Specialist and the qualified mental health professional and occurs in individual and group supervision settings.

Work Requirements and Conditions:

• Exercises good and independent judgment in the performance of duties
• Able to work flexible hours when necessary
• Annual TB test (chest x-ray every 5 years if there is a history of + PPD or a medical reason why PPD cannot be completed annually)
• Valid driver’s license in the state of residence.
• Submits motor vehicle record upon initial employment and every 3 years afterwards.

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in a human services field, or H.S. degree and credentialed through a combination of education and experience.

• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office
• Ability to work in a diverse environment