Recovery Specialist

The Recovery Specialist provides and coordinates a full array of outreach-based services for clients in the DMHAS/ABH Behavioral Health Recovery Program. The primary goals of the program are to: 1) Improve clinical linkages from one level of care to another, 2) Provide holistic services to maximize the likelihood of client success, 3) Decrease the ineffective use of acute treatment services, 4) Ensure successful client treatment outcomes and 5) Ensure the client receives quality treatment services in an appropriate treatment setting. This position will represent ABH® and its services in a positive and professional manner and adhere to ABH®’s best practices, guidelines, policies and procedures as established, promoting ABH® as a leader in behavioral healthcare in all interactions and work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide full array of Recovery Specialist services, including services that assist clients in obtaining basic supports needed to improve their likelihood of success in recovery. Including, but not limited to, the following:

• Outreach and engagement attempts with clients in various community settings, including clients’ home, shelters, soup kitchens.  Outreach efforts may include attempts to contact clients via visits and /or letters to last known address, phone calls, visits to shelters, soup kitchens, collaboration with DSS, other recovery managers, and visits to treatment agencies;
• Service planning for non-clinical needs (e.g., housing, transportation);
• Assistance with arranging transportation to treatment and other community supports appointments;
• Transportation to essential appointments when no other arrangement is timely or/and practical and such transport can be safely achieved;
• Assistance and advocacy in accessing extant community support services;
• Assistance in accessing urgent and standard Recovery Supports Program supports;
• Face to face supportive counseling;
• Referrals and contacts with culturally relevant organizations and individuals such as the following, as needed, to establish and maintain adequate community supports:
• • Vocational Providers;
  • Housing agencies, landlords;
  • Health care providers;
  • Probation/Parole officers;
  • Crisis intervention services, hospital emergency departments;
  • Other appropriate support and treatment services;
  • Family members and other natural supports;
  • Interpreter services;
  • Faith Communities (e.g. churches, masjids, etc.);

• Provide fully array of Recovery Specialist services, including services that guide the course of client treatment through various levels of care.  Including, but not limited to the following:
• • Assessment and referral to the appropriate level of care;
  • Intake appointment scheduling;
  • Review of treatment history;
  • Arrange and attend case coordination meetings with clients and treatment providers to assure that appropriate issues are being addressed in treatment;
  • Global treatment planning and notification of the ASO regarding specific treatment recommendations and the expected path of treatment through various levels of care;
  • Case coordination meetings for clients involved with multiple treatment providers and community supports;
  • Outreach and/or phone contact to acute service providers to participate in treatment and discharge planning with the client and provider;
  • Tracking participation in treatment through the ASO and with service providers;

• Carry a cell phone during work hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and respond to any messages within 30 minutes of the message;
• Carry a company issued laptop and jet pack and conduct face to face sessions using the EHR where possible.
• Provide transportation to clients, using personal vehicles;
• Work out of a regional office and attend regular regional and statewide meetings of all Recovery Specialists;
• Abide by all State and Federal Confidentiality Regulations;
• Comply and work towards goals established by DMHAS and ABH®;
• Maintain internal communications -  notifying supervisors with all relevant client or program based information;
• Document all case management activities within required time frame and in required format - including documentation of all client related activities into electronic database;
• Submit data and reports as defined and within required time limits;
• Attend all required staff, supervision and training meetings;
• Maintain hard copy of clients’ records (i.e. ROI) with appropriate documentation and signatures;
• Function as a team member of a regional and statewide team, including providing as needed coverage for other members of the team;
• Maintains confidentiality of all client protected health information and adheres to all HIPAA related policies and procedures;
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and cultural sensitivity in all activities involving individuals of diverse backgrounds;
• Performs other tasks/responsibilities as required to support the business operations.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s or Associates degree in Human Services or related field, with experience in behavioral health disorders; OR
• Two years of experience providing services to clients with behavioral health disorders;

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health service;
• Knowledge of community resources in the local region;
• Knowledge of Cultural Diversity, Engagement and Ethics;
• Must have valid Connecticut driver’s license, reliable transportation and carry a minimum insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000;
• Must be willing to transport clients in personal vehicles;
• Strong attention to detail; ability to work on multiple tasks and meet deadlines;
• Excellent PC skills with demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office Package (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook); internet;
• Strong written and verbal skills required.
• Due to the need for in-person client support across the state of Connecticut, this position requires residency within the state.