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recovery support advisor

title: "Job Specification: Recovery Support Advisor"
salary: "$40,000 - $65,000"
categories: ["Healthcare", "Social Services", "Mental Health", "Non-Profit"]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a "Job Specification: Recovery Support Advisor".

🎯 Role Definition

A Recovery Support Advisor is a compassionate and dedicated professional who serves as a guide, mentor, and advocate for individuals navigating the path to recovery. Leveraging personal lived experience and specialized training, this role focuses on building trusting, one-on-one relationships to inspire hope and empower clients to achieve their self-defined wellness goals. The Advisor connects individuals with essential community resources, helps them develop coping strategies, and provides consistent, non-clinical support. This position is fundamental to our person-centered care model, acting as a bridge between the individual and the broader network of clinical and community-based services, ensuring a holistic and sustained recovery journey.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Peer Support Trainee / Apprentice
  • Community Health Worker
  • Social Services Aide or Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Recovery Support Advisor / Team Lead
  • Case Manager or Care Coordinator
  • Program Coordinator (Recovery Services)

Lateral Moves:

  • Crisis Intervention Specialist
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Client Navigator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Engage individuals with substance use and/or mental health conditions to provide peer-based support, encouragement, and guidance throughout their recovery journey.
  • Utilize personal lived experience in a professional capacity to establish rapport, build trust, and serve as a positive role model, demonstrating that long-term recovery is achievable.
  • Assist clients in articulating their personal recovery goals and collaborate with them to develop and implement individualized, person-centered recovery and wellness plans.
  • Conduct regular check-ins and one-on-one coaching sessions, employing active listening and motivational interviewing techniques to support clients in overcoming barriers and celebrating milestones.
  • Educate and empower clients to understand the principles of recovery, self-advocacy, and wellness, equipping them with tools for self-management.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate recovery-oriented support groups, workshops, and educational sessions on topics such as relapse prevention, coping skills, and life skills development.
  • Act as a client advocate, helping individuals navigate complex healthcare and social service systems to access necessary care and benefits.
  • Research, identify, and connect clients with a wide range of community-based resources, including housing, employment services, healthcare providers, legal aid, and social support networks.
  • Provide practical assistance to clients in completing applications for benefits, scheduling appointments, and arranging transportation to critical services.
  • Accompany clients to appointments and community activities as appropriate to provide moral support and ensure their needs are effectively communicated and met.
  • Maintain a high level of ethical and professional conduct, including the establishment and maintenance of clear and appropriate professional boundaries with all clients.
  • Meticulously document all client interactions, progress notes, service plans, and outcomes in the designated Electronic Health Record (EHR) or case management system in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, including clinicians, therapists, case managers, and medical staff, to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to client care.
  • Participate actively in team meetings, case conferences, and clinical supervision sessions to review client progress, discuss challenges, and refine support strategies.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support under supervision when clients are experiencing acute distress, connecting them to appropriate emergency services as needed.
  • Promote a culture of hope, empowerment, and respect for all individuals, challenging stigma related to mental health and substance use within the community.
  • Assist in outreach and engagement efforts to connect with individuals in the community who may benefit from recovery support services.
  • Adhere strictly to all confidentiality regulations, including HIPAA, to protect client privacy and sensitive information.
  • Stay current with best practices in peer support, recovery-oriented systems of care, and trauma-informed principles through ongoing training and professional development.
  • Collect and report data related to client engagement and outcomes to support program evaluation, quality improvement initiatives, and reporting requirements.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain accurate and confidential client records, documenting progress notes, service plans, and outcomes in the designated case management system.
  • Contribute to program improvement by providing on-the-ground feedback regarding service effectiveness, client needs, and identified gaps in community support.
  • Collaborate with clinical staff, case managers, and external community partners to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to client care.
  • Participate in regular team meetings, case conferences, and clinical supervision sessions to discuss client progress, care strategies, and professional development.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Motivational Interviewing: Proficiency in using client-centered counseling to elicit behavior change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence.
  • Case Management Software: Experience with Electronic Health Record (EHR) or client relationship management (CRM) platforms for documentation and tracking.
  • Crisis De-escalation: Trained in techniques to safely and effectively manage and resolve tense, hostile, or emotionally charged situations.
  • Community Resource Navigation: Deep knowledge of local social services, healthcare systems, housing resources, and other community-based support networks.
  • Trauma-Informed Care Principles: A strong understanding of the impact of trauma and the ability to apply principles that promote safety, trust, and empowerment.
  • Group Facilitation: Skill in leading support groups and workshops in an engaging, safe, and productive manner.
  • Recovery Planning: Competency in collaborating with clients to create structured, goal-oriented, and individualized recovery plans.

Soft Skills

  • Empathy & Compassion: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, providing non-judgmental support.
  • Active Listening: The capacity to fully concentrate on, understand, respond to, and remember what is being said by clients.
  • Strong Interpersonal Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting effectively with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
  • Professional Boundary Setting: The crucial ability to establish and maintain clear, appropriate, and healthy limits in a supportive relationship.
  • Resilience & Patience: The capacity to remain steadfast, patient, and optimistic while supporting clients through the often non-linear process of recovery.
  • Advocacy: A strong drive to speak or act on behalf of clients to ensure they receive fair treatment and access to necessary services.
  • Cultural Competency: Awareness and respect for diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences to provide culturally sensitive support.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery is a primary qualification for this role.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
  • Certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS), Certified Recovery Coach (CRC), or a similar state-recognized credential.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Human Services
  • Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of demonstrated experience in a peer support, social services, community health, or a related role.

Preferred:

  • Documented personal lived experience with significant recovery from a mental health or substance use condition.
  • Verifiable completion of a state-approved Peer Support training program and current certification is highly desirable.
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