Recovery Support Specialist: Women's REACH- 5908

With a career at CHR, you can look forward to a respectful workplace, an inclusive culture, and most importantly, a family. A career can mean different things at different workplaces. Apply now to see what it means to us and what it’s like to work somewhere your voice is heard, your wellness is a priority, and your success matters.

JOB TITLE:                                Recovery Support Specialist

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:         Full-time, 40 hours/wk 

SCHEDULED HOURS:          Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM

PROGRAM/LOCATION:      Women's REACH, Willimantic, CT

PC#:                                            2887

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Women's REACH

The Women’s REACH program is designed to provide outreach, engagement, short term case management, recovery coaching, connections to community, and recovery support resources to pregnant and parenting women with substance use or co-occurring disorders AND parenting/expecting fathers, grandparents, LGBTQIA+ individuals, partners of WRN clients, and other immediate parenting family or natural support who have been impacted by substance use, either personally by the use of the child’s parent. With the support of a Recovery Support Specialist, these individuals will be connected to resources they need to facilitate their recovery including but not limited to MAT/MOUD and behavioral health supports, community supports, harm reduction, Family Care Plan development, reproductive health services, medical needs, basic needs, and child needs.

ABOUT THE POSITION:  

Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) uses their lived recovery experience to help others with behavioral health needs identify their own recovery goals, develop individualized recovery strategies, and promote self-advocacy. The RSS is knowledgeable regarding community resources and assists in linking clients to behavioral health and addiction follow up care, natural (family, friends) supports, community resources including LGBTQ+, Veteran’s and/or other support groups in a culturally informed, strength-based manner.  

Participates in interventions to help reduce health care disparities, which may include screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) such as housing, medical insurance, food security and transportation to identify and then help resolve barriers to healthcare.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using lived recovery experience and best practices, assist clients in identifying and advocating their own recovery goals through motivational interventions by informing and educating on establishing or strengthening their own recovery strategies.
• Conduct program specific assessments and screens as indicated.
• Collaborate with those served to create individualized and person-centered treatment plans as indicated by program requirements. Conduct skills teaching to assist clients as needed.
• May provide independent and/or co-response with mobile clinical staff on crisis outreaches and or follow up visits to promote client centered, recovery-based approaches.
• Ability to work with hospital-based staff, EMS, law enforcement, community providers/referral sources and client’s natural supports. May be required to provide peer support, consultation and participate in discharge planning with clients at risk of or presenting to an Emergency Department after suicidal episode or other behavioral health crisis.
• Participates in interventions to help reduce health care disparities, which may include screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) such as housing, medical insurance, food security and transportation to identify and then help resolve barriers to healthcare.
• Complies and shares knowledge of appropriate community resources and assists in linking clients to behavioral health and addiction follow up care, natural (family, friends) supports, community resources including LGBTQ+, Veteran’s and/or other support groups in a culturally informed, strength-based manner.
• Provide follow-up engagement support including but not limited to brief recovery coaching, relapse prevention and safety planning support and inclusion of family involvement where appropriate.
• Maintains documentation in compliance with agency and program standards.
• Participates in staff meetings, supervision, training, and other meetings as assigned.
• Meets requirements of any program contracts, including productivity, caseloads &/or timeliness of client contact.
• May work in a program where client transport may be required.
• Additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: Lived experience establishing and maintaining recovery from behavioral health &/or substance use condition(s).  Recovery Support or Recovery Coach Certification preferred. High School Diploma required.

Experience: Preferred, 2+ years working with identified populations and specifically as an RSS; self identifies as an individual with mental health and or substance use disorder in long term recovery.

REACH WFRN: may be a woman or any individual who identifies as a woman who has the lived experience of being a person in recovery from a substance use or co-occurring disorder OR has the lived experience of supporting immediate family/partner in their recovery from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder.

Licensure/Certification/Registration: Recovery Support Specialist Certification from Advocacy Unlimited, Recovery Coach Certification from CCAR, or an equivalent certification related to the field of Recovery Support required or must obtain within 6 months of hire. Valid Driver’s License required; Use of personal vehicle may be required for position.   

Why Join CHR?

🏆 Award-Winning Workplace:

• Proudly recognized as a Top Workplace for 11 consecutive years!

🕒 Generous Time Off:

• Enjoy ample paid time off, including a special day off for your birthday!

💰 Retirement Savings:

• Benefit from contributions to your 403b Retirement Plan.

🏥 Comprehensive Insurance:

• Competitive premiums with added discounts on pet, auto, and home insurance!

🎓 Education & Tuition Support:

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
• Student loan repayment assistance (Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Nurse Corps, NHSC/HRSA at select sites).
• Exclusive tuition discounts for CHR employees at several local colleges/universities.

📚 Career Development:

• FREE robust training curriculum, featuring our brand-new Clinical Training Series for interactive learning, practical skill enhancement, and professional growth!
• Clinical supervision and/or mentoring available at many programs.
• Internal career fairs: connect with recruiters to discuss your career aspirations and the various opportunities available within our over 80 programs statewide.

💪 Wellness Program:

• Annual wellness stipend.
• FREE 24/7 confidential counseling sessions and a FREE premium subscription to the Calm app, for employees and their families.
• Fun activities like virtual bring-your-pet-to-work lunches, weekly yoga, coloring contests, employee appreciation events, and more!

🎤 Employee Involvement:

• Exciting learning collaborative fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Join employee-led resource groups, DEI Council, and Wellness Committee.
• Participate in leadership luncheons with our CEO and various agency committees!

📢 Stay Informed:

• Weekly video updates from our CEO and monthly newsletters to keep you in the loop.

🌟 And So Much More:

• Many benefits are available to all staff, regardless of the hours worked, with some subject to eligibility.

Join us at CHR and be part of an exciting, supportive, and dynamic workplace where your growth and well-being are our top priorities!

COMPENSATION*:        

$18.00/hour and up commensurate upon experience.

*Actual rates are determined at the time of offer and are based off relevant experience, as well as adherence to our internal equity policy. Many of our positions offer program/location differentials and/or sign-on incentives. (Please note, for part-time positions this range would be pro-rated based on hours worked)

CHR is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that respects differences and honors the experience of our diverse staff. We encourage women, members of ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with (dis)abilities, and veterans to apply.

Take the first step to a meaningful career and apply to CHR today!