Recovery Support Specialist (MA)

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) assists patients with substance abuse and mental health disorders, working under the direction of the Program Director and/or Assistant Program Director and in collaboration with clinical, nursing, and medical staff. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting patients with daily schedules, leading patients in educational and recreational activities, facilitating psychoeducational groups, and accompanying patients to and from examinations and treatments. The primary role of the RSS is to support the delivery of individual client care through a focus on safety and engagement.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Monitors patient activities, provides security checks throughout shift, completes documentation to include, but not limited to, rounds sheets, therapeutic activities notes, and End of Shift reports; records patient behavior.
• Participates in direct patient care including ensuring patient safety and interacting therapeutically.
• Assists in the activities of patients' daily schedule.
• Assists with de-escalation.
• Performs all aspects of patient belongings processing for new admissions and resulting from visitations, including search, heat treatment, and delivery.
• Assists patients with packing of belongings in preparation for discharge.
• Performs, records and reports patient vital signs.
• Monitors Business Center/Workflex for patient compliance with rules and schedules.
• Monitors patient activities at the Wellness Center/Fitness Center.
• Partners with Clinical team to conduct a welcoming New Patient Orientation (if applicable).
• Assists with all aspects of visitation program, including greeting, sign-in, orientation, search and belongings processing (if applicable).
• Understands the principles of 12-Step Programs and how they apply to the recovery process of the addicted client.
• Aids and instructs clients in facilitation and presentation of the RCA Clinical Curriculum with corresponding notes in medical records system.
• May assist in transporting patients and/or patient belongings (as applicable).
• Demonstrates appropriate confidentiality when interacting with patients, residents, families, visitors, referral sources, and all other contacts.
• Exhibits excellent customer relation skills as evidenced by supportive and constructive communication with all contacts including co-workers, patients, residents, visitors, families, and referral sources.
• Performs any other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience of 1 year working in substance use disorder treatment is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with all technology hardware, systems and tools required to perform duties; training will be provided as needed.
• Familiarity with behaviour modification and 12-step modality.
• Ability to perform, document and report patient vital signs.
• Valid driver's license and a safe driving record (as applicable).

Customer Service: Demonstrates concern for meeting internal and external customers' needs in a manner that provides satisfaction for the customer within the resources that can be made available.

Problem Solving: Identifies problems, involves others in seeking solutions, and conducts appropriate analyses, searches for best solutions; responds quickly to new challenges.

Communication Proficiency: Comfortable using a broad range of communication styles, and ability to choose appropriate, effective ways to communicate to different audiences in diverse situations.

Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behaviour and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting attention and resolution. Is willing to assume new responsibilities if the quality of patient care dictates.

Time Management: Uses his or her time effectively and efficiently; concentrates his or her efforts on the most important priorities; adeptly manages several tasks at once.

Work Environment: May work in a variety of environments within the substance disorder treatment facility. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, IPADS, and scanning devices. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The requirements listed below are representative of the physical abilities required to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is constantly required to walk and stand, and occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, colour vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a full listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.