Recovery Support Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is an active member of the HRDI mental healthteam and Williams Recovery Drop In Center Program and provides peer support
services to clients with serious mental illnesses who attend and participate in
the in the Williams Recovery Drop In Center Program.

JOB DUTIES:

Assist clients in articulating personal
goals for recovery through the use of one-on- one and group sessions. During
these sessions the RSS will support clients in identifying and creating goals
and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and
resources to aid them in achieving those goals; Assist clients in working with their case
manager or treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in
order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery. Assist clients in setting up and
sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and
joining existing groups. Utilize tools such as the Wellness
Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to assist clients in creating their own individual
wellness and recovery plans. Independently or with periodic assistance
of higher graded treatment team members, utilize and teach problem solving
techniques with individuals and groups; discussions will be utilized where
clients will share common problems in daily living and methods they have
employed to manage and cope with these problems. As one who has availed
themselves to mental health services, the RSS will share their own experiences
and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use. As much as
possible, the RSS will share their own recovery story and as the facilitator of
these sessions, will demonstrate how they have directed their own recovery. Use ongoing individual and group sessions
to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to
identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and
RSS to share their experiences. By using identified literature, media, etc.
clients will gain hope, learn to identify their strengths and combat negative
self-talk. Support clients vocational choices and
assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming
job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview
tips. Assist clients in building social skills
in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure. Utilizing their recovery experience, the RSS will:

Teach and role model the value of every
individual s recovery experience. The RSS model s effective coping
techniques and self-help strategies. Serve as a recovery agent by providing and
advocating for any effective recovery based services that will aid the client
in daily living.

Assist in obtaining services that suit
that individual s recovery needs by providing names of staff, community
resources and groups that may be useful. Inform clients about community and
natural supports and how to use these in the recovery process. Community
resources may include but not limited to: social security office, Department of
Family and Children services, local YMCA, Library, restaurants, clients service
organizations, apartment complexes and other types of housing, etc. Assist clients in developing empowerment
skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. This will be accomplished
through regular meetings, individual or group sessions. Through the use of role
playing/modeling techniques the RSS provides opportunities for others to
show/demonstrate how they have handled similar problems, how to present
themselves in certain situations, or how to handle problems that may arise in
interactions with others. With assistance from the Coordinator, the
Recovery Support Specialist will work with the clients and other treatment team
staff to develop a treatment/recovery plan based on each client s identified
goals. Treatment/Recovery Plans will be reviewed and signed by the Coordinator
and other participating treatment team staff. The RSS will document the
following on the client s treatment/recovery plan: identified
person-centered strengths, needs, abilities, and recovery goals; interventions to
assist the client with reaching their goals for recovery; progress made toward
goals.

The RSS will maintain a working knowledge of
current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books,
journals, and other relevant materials. The RSS will continue to share recovery
materials with others at continuing education seminars and other venues to be
developed to support recovery-oriented services; and attend continuing
education seminars and other in-service training when offered.

QUALIFICATION:

High School Diploma, GED, or higher degree.

Requires current certification as a Mental Health
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or the ability to become certified
as a CRSS within one year of employment.

Knowledge of the Recovery process and the
ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health
processes.

Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in
basic problem solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed
recovery.

Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental
illness (i.e. auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior,
thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to
assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive
self-talk.

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