General Definition and Scope of Job
Under the supervision of a supervisor and as an integral part of the OBAT team, the Recovery Coach (RC) will provide community outreach and peer recovery support services to Manet CHC patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and will assist patients in achieving sustained recovery. The position will facilitate patient access to recovery-oriented SUD treatment, related resources, and community recovery groups. The RC will bridge the segmented treatment system into a more holistic care model by providing support across multiple systems and frameworks of care. The RC will maintain ongoing patient support regardless of relapse and will serve as a motivator, ally, role model, problem-solver, and advocate for patients. The RC should possess a thorough understanding of the steps to successful recovery, be able to provide tailored health messages, and be able to connect patients to community resources and treatment options. This position requires good organizational skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Core Responsibilities
Recovery Coach Responsibilities
• Engage MAT patients in an outpatient setting and explain the role and services of recovery coach.
• Conduct needs assessment and develop and implement a wellness plan with patients struggling with substance use disorder.
• Provide appropriate recovery information, referrals, and linkages to help individual improve recovery and reduce risk behaviors, including but not limited to healthcare support services, social work, financial assistance, child-care, housing, food, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation, food pantries, and appropriate community resources.
• Provide ongoing support and follow up as necessary to support recovery and healthy lifestyle; support and understand different paths to recovery
• Help patient navigate the healthcare system and social service system; accompany patients to appointments, community organizations, recovery-oriented events, and meetings as needed
• Initiate and sustain trusting relationship with individuals and families
• Help the patient locate recovery support groups
• Establish and maintain open communication with community-based organizations, providers and services, and other potential resources
• Use non-judgmental language that conveys caring and utilize motivational enhancement techniques and motivational interviewing that helps encourage patients to identify and prioritize their personal needs
• Gain and share information about specific health topics most relevant to the population being served
• Document encounters
• Collect patient information and outcomes through state and grant required documentation; schedule and maintain tracking for all data collection appointments and deadlines
• Perform clerical duties such as answering phones and checking voicemail for clinic, scheduling appointments, and providing reminder/follow-up calls as needed
• Conform to health system standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights and privacy
• Utilize organization standards as the basis for decision making
• Perform other duties assigned or as necessary
Minimum Skills, Experience and Educational Requirements
• A High School diploma or GED required
• Lived experience with substance use disorders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, and the internet; requires the ability to research community resources independently
• Knowledge of community, social, and health resources, particularly substance use-related resources
• Understanding of recovery and principles of recovery, lived experience required
• Empathic understanding of patients and ability to perform multicultural needs assessments and develop concrete service plans
• Expertise in establishing working relationships with patients, their families, professionals, and the community, including the ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary health care team
• Computer competency, inclusive of the ability to access and enter data
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, inclusive of organizational skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to facilitate interactions with various members of the health care team, patients, and their families
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served are preferred
• Demonstrated flexibility with client’s priorities, evolving needs, and goals
• Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity, values, beliefs, and behaviors
Required Certifications and Licenses
None, but applicant must have a willingness to obtain recovery coach certification.
Working Conditions
1. Works in well-lighted environment with comfortable surroundings.
2. Stressful at times due to competing demands, including attention to multiple patients and staff.
Required Availability
May be required to work a rotating schedule as the department requires. This includes evenings, holidays and weekends.