OVERVIEW:
In the short-term crisis respite setting, the Recovery Specialist is responsible for instilling hope, supporting wellness; and demonstrating that recovery is real and attainable. Recovery Specialists help guests explore their personal goals and engage them in community and social events using compassion, trauma-informed techniques, and peer support.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or college-level academic work in related field strongly preferred; or High School diploma with relevant work experience/knowledge-base of mental health recovery
• Personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or chemical addiction services with two years of successful recovery is required
• Able to interact professionally and effectively with staff and guests
• Experience with conducting needs assessments strongly desired
• Experience with developing care plans strongly desired
• Experience/general understanding of documentation procedures including electronic recordkeeping
• Working knowledge of issues facing persons affected by mental illness and chemical dependency
• Understanding of and ease with dealing with individuals in crisis
• Familiarity with community supports and Federal, State, and Local services and systems 
• Qualify for and complete New York State Peer Specialist Certification within six months of hire http://nypeerspecialist.org
• Ability to abide by the NYPSCB Code of Ethical Conduct http://nypeerspecialist.org
• Approval by New York State Justice Center via fingerprinting and criminal background check is required
• Must be able to drive with a valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to MHAST insurance carrier
• Demonstrates a commitment to the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier’s mission and vision

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide assistance, support, and advocacy to individuals in crisis
• Help individuals clarify problems and identify the need for change or improvement
• Assist individuals with setting goals based on their individual preferences
• Provide peer support and active listening to individuals accessing the Warm Line
• Model wellness and recovery while helping individuals to identify interventions they can implement working toward their own wellness and recovery goals
• Promote empowerment through meaningful activities and discussions using selective self-disclosure
• Utilize wellness tools, such as a WRAP, and other problem solving techniques  
• Assist individuals in making community connections based on their preferences and needs
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment in the respite house
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and documentation of services; provide and maintain documentation of the individual’s progress and operations of the respite house
• Demonstrate teamwork among co-workers
• Communicate effectively with community contacts
• Demonstrate ease with working with a diverse population
• Ability to meet individuals where they are in life and promoting goal setting and supporting progress toward those goals
• Flexibility with work schedule, with evenings, nights, and weekend shifts required
• Treat all guests and staff with dignity, courtesy, and respect
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs

• Individuals in this role will have access to Protected Health Information (PHI) as part of their job duties:
• Access is only allowed on a “need to know” basis to perform the necessary job duties in this role
• Access to the PHI of individuals being served outside of this program is restricted (via the electronic medical record system)
• Access to, use of, and disclosure of PHI is to be done in compliance with the agency’s HIPAA policy manual

 

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

 

Reports to: Crisis Respite Team Lead
Status: Non-exempt
Hours: Full time/Part time