The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is a peer mentor position, and requires candidates to have personal, lived experience, in a sustained recovery program of their own.

Staff in the RSS position will provide advocacy and support to individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) who are receiving services through RSI Crisis Center, in collaboration with Wyandot Mental Health Center.

Each RSS will be given training toward obtaining the Kansas Certification for Peer Mentors (KCPM).

We are currently seeking candidates willing to work any of the following shifts, with the applicable shift differentials.

• Evening shift: 3 pm - 11 pm - Base Pay + $1.50 Shift Differential
• Overnight shift: 11 pm - 7 am - Base Pay + $2.00 Shift Differential

The RSS will be a part of the clinical team with the responsibility to provide supervision and monitoring of clients, while promoting a safe and sober living environment. They will connect with individuals receiving services at the Crisis Center by providing routine care and monitoring for consumers on the Sobering unit, and assist clients in need of substance use treatment and recovery information on the other units, as well.

The primary purpose is to help bridge the gap between professional treatment and sustainable recovery and to help individuals begin, maintain, and improve the quality of individual and family recovery.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Please note that this is a brief outline of the position. Other tasks and duties may be assigned at the discretion of Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center.

• Provide listening, support, and peer interaction to all individuals on the Unit.
• Provide Motivational Interviewing and recovery engagement strategies, assisting clients in establishing their own path to recovery.
• Provide Informational Support by assisting clients with tools on recovery/health/wellness issues that will help in beginning recovery.
• Provide emotional support by interacting in a warm compassionate manner with clients, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Monitor client’s compliance with program requirements, promoting client achievement of goals & objectives.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify behaviors that require intervention.
• Promote client progress and participation, documenting as assigned.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement processes, identifying needs on the unit, maintaining appropriate levels of supplies needed on the unit, and attending all required trainings.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Maintain a professional presence within the stakeholder’s facility, complying with all policies and procedures of HRADAC, the Scope of Practice for Kansas Certified Peer Mentor, set forth by DCF/KDADS, and policies of the designated stakeholder location
• Demonstrates considerable independent judgment and initiative when carrying out the position responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Displays courtesy, tact, respect and acceptance toward clients, members of the general public, community members, and stakeholders.
• Ethical behavior as demonstrated through honesty, accountability, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Able to manage time and resources demonstrated by the ability to be organized and flexible while assisting the clinical team in identifying needs on the unit.
• Works well on teams; attentive and cooperative with others in order to successfully accomplish tasks.
• Detail-oriented, timely and accurate completion of documentation, paperwork and employment requirements such as timesheets, expense reports and calendars.
• Able to work with diverse clients and stakeholders.
• Reliable degree of behavioral stability, clean and sober.
• Understand and demonstrates appropriate boundaries at all times.
• Evening Shift and/or Overnight Shift Openings. Both pay a shift differential beyond the starting pay.
• A valid driver’s license, dependable transportation, and proof of auto insurance must be maintained.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Complete the 6 hour introductory course to achieve certification as Kansas Peer Mentor in Training, followed by 15 hour advance peer mentor training, to achieve certification as Kansas Certified Peer Mentor, within 1 year of employment.
• Familiarity with the need of persons with addictions through personal, lived experience in a recovery program.
• Must have a minimum of 24-48 months of continuous, strong recovery and be working a stable recovery program (i.e. twelve step, church/spiritual, other recovery support group).
• Service work associated to recovery, such as sponsoring, holding positions in home group, district, and state level as well as volunteer activities in the community that demonstrate quality recovery may be considered in lieu of full 48 months of recovery.
• Experience and ability to use multiple computer applications, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and Outlook, and electronic documentation, as required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Kris Carnahan, Director of Operations & Administrative Services
Heartland Regional Alcohol & Drug Assessment Center
kris@hradac.com 
913-789-0952 or 1-800-281-0029