Recovery Support Specialist (part - time)

Recovery Support Specialist (Part-time) Position

Join our team and use your expertise to provide guidance, support, and education that transforms lives. In this role, you will use your lived experience to provide intensive community support to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, assisting them in identifying their recovery goals and connecting them to vital resources.

Position Highlights:

• Facility: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
• Location: Stamford, CT
• Schedule: Part-time (32 hours weekly), Monday - Thursday, First Shift, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish/English or Bilingual in Creole/English, but not required.

Why the State of Connecticut:

• Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview
• Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
• Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees

In this role you will:

• Provide coaching and guidance to assist individuals in identifying recovery goals, support networks, employment and/or education opportunities
• Utilize your own lived experience as well as evidence-based Wellness Management techniques
• Provide education around client rights and responsibilities, tools for recovery and management of mental health substance use and medical issues

About Us:

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team.

Please note:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Selection Plan:

For assistance in applying, check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

Before you apply:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline.

After you apply:

Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date.

Prepare for an Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role.

Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Questions? We're here to help:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work): In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

Examples of Duties:

• Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for their recovery plan using existing evidence-based workbooks or person-centered planning tools;
• Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (i.e., pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports);
• Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights;
• Participates in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals;
• Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration;
• Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families;
• Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have, or are at risk for, co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities;
• Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness;
• Supports clients in obtaining services that meet their recovery needs;
• Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress;
• Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity;
• Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities;
• Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level;
• Observes and reports clients' behavior;
• Prepares and submits incident or other related forms;
• Updates clients' notes in the medical record as required;
• Enters computerized data as required;
• May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication;
• May provide outreach and transportation;
• Performs related duties as required.

Inpatient Settings:

• Accompanies clients off the unit and on to the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation;
• Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community;
• May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

• Knowledge of community support systems and resources;
• Person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques;
• The principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to observe and redirect client behavior;
• Utilize computer software.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience:

• Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed:

• Six (6) months of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish/English or Bilingual in Creole/English.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Experience using shared life experience to engage and motivate clients.
• Experience working in the community to assist clients with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience facilitating peer-led groups.
• Experience utilizing the Intentional Peer Support Model.
• Experience with trauma-informed care.
• Experience utilizing recovery-based language.

Special Requirements:

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a recovery support certification.
• Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Conclusion: