RECOVERY SPECIALIST

The Recovery Specialist (RS) is an important team member of Amador Recovery (AR), which provides and/or coordinates medication, counseling, and support services and resources for persons with substance use disorders (SUD) and also with co-occurring mental health disorders. The focus of the team is on alcohol, opioids, and methamphetamine; the target population is persons with SUD experiencing homelessness or housing instability or criminal justice involvement. Other eligible persons may enroll in recovery services also. The RS offers enabling services, such as health promotion, disease prevention, case management, and telephone & field support, to increase access to health care and improve health outcomes. Amador Recovery is committed to a person-centered approach with evidence-based best practices to collaborate with individuals and families for recovery from substance use disorders. The Recovery Specialist may function as a recovery navigator, advocate, and/or coach regarding SUD services outreach, satellite, office, and clinic settings.

Major Responsibilities:
With proper training, competency, and supervision, the Recovery Specialist may engage in the following job assignments:

• Harm Reduction – syringe exchange, Narcan (naloxone) education/distribution, HCV/HIV counseling and testing.
• SBIRT – screening, motivational interviewing, brief interventions for tobacco, alcohol, and drug use/misuse.
• Adjunctive therapies – Acudetox (ear acupuncture), Mindful Living, Exercise Is Medicine.
• Psychosocial support – SMART Recovery meetings, Seeking Safety groups, Relapse Prevention classes.
• Non-clinical case management—personal needs assessment regarding social determinants of health, individualized service plan, implementation (education/information, referrals/linkages), monitoring, and plan modification. Includes Patient Navigator & Engagement functions.
• Clinical case management –advocacy/assistance and interventions/empowerment for medication adherence (counseling, delivery, observation of medication administration), healthy lifestyle habits, life skills, self-care tools & techniques, and other enhancing self-sufficiency services. Includes Care Coordination and Recovery Coaching functions.
• Other tasks as assigned or as needed for quality customer service and teamwork.

Note:
Within 90 days of employment, the Recovery Specialist (RS) must complete the 20-hour Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) course from a state-designated training unit with an approved curriculum to become a Medicaid provider as a non-independent, unlicensed Behavior Health Worker (Community Support Worker). The RS/CSW must have/maintain a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, current automobile registration and liability insurance, and be able to use a personal vehicle for employment purposes, including performing fieldwork to visit clients outside the office/clinic.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  Minimum: Experience working with persons having limited English proficiency and/or low health literacy
• Preferred: Bilingual Spanish and English communication skills
  
• Minimum: Ability to analyze difficult situations regarding personal lifestyle issues of clients/populations and relate to diverse clients/populations confidently, acting effectively regarding cultural awareness, sensitivity, competency, and humility
  
• Preferred: Ability to provide services to persons who misuse alcohol/ drugs and who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Knowledge of community human/social services and benefits or resources available to patients
  
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and case management techniques and tools
  
• Ability to document client/case information or data in an electronic health record in a timely and accurate manner, especially with progress/chart notes and other templates
  
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality according to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations and AHC policies and procedures
  
• Skill in making presentations to consumers, providers, and the general public and in facilitating mutual aid or self-help support groups.

• Education, Experience, Credentials, Licenses:
  Minimum: Must be at least 18 years old. Hold a bachelor’s degree in a human/social service field from an accredited university and have one year of relevant experience with the target population.
  
• Preferred: BA/BS and be a Certified Peer Support Worker from NM Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals who self-identifies as a consumer of mental health and/or substance abuse services and in recovery for at least three years.

Working Conditions:
In an office setting with many out-of-office occasions to work in the field in several different environments, including outreach to high-risk individuals and making home visits to clients. Can be exposed to various conditions that may impact health status and may work with persons having physical, mental health, and/or substance use problems. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.