Community Mental Health Affiliates ‐ Job Description

Job Description: Recovery Specialist Effective: January 2011

Job Title: Recovery Specialist

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Division/
Department:

Adult Services

Community Supports Services

Program: Housing, or Community

Support & Recovery Pathways

Programs, CHAP, ACTT, YACTT

Job Code: RECSP2 Job Grade: 17

Titles Reporting
Into:

None FLSA Exemption:
Exempt
X NonExempt

Work Location: New Britain EEO Category:

Service Workers (9A)

Summary:

Serves as intensive case manager to support, teach, advocate and life coach individuals with mental
health and or co‐occurring disorders, including developing person‐centered recovery goals that
enable clients to live, learn, socialize, work and thrive in the community.

Essential Responsibilities and Target Outcomes:
 Provides advocacy for clients by monitoring client contact with outside agencies (Social Security,

DSS, DCF, DMHAS, etc.); trains client to utilize emergency supply resources, counsels and assists
clients with accessing education and vocational resources; assists client in finding and maintaining
viable residential housing.

 Works with client to achieve and maintain rehabilitative skills to produce an independent and
self‐sustaining life, including assistance with finances and entitlements, support with healthy
activity of daily living (ADL’s) skills, and supervision of medications.

 Produces concise documentation regarding the ongoing service with client, including progress and
recommendations on future options, in an effort to make the client self supporting; works with
CMHA staff and supervisor in planning future direction.

 Coaches and assists clients with all in‐home challenges such as personal hygiene, nutrition,
housekeeping, personal budget (including Client Financial Management Program), and household
maintenance and repair.

 Assures timely documentation is maintained in accordance with CMHA policies and procedures,
including but not limited to progress notes, treatment plans, authorizations, program orientation,
and consent to treat, activity logs, and monthly targeted case management notes.

 Performs other related duties as assigned.
Principal Customers:

Clients: ensuring that they move towards independence.
Clients’ families/caregivers: on client progress and treatment.
CMHA programs/services: that need input/feedback to service and help client with life challenges.
Supervisor: concurrence on treatment progress and future direction.

Critical Work Relationships:
CMHA Staff: working collaboratively to advise on clients’ progress and future direction.
CMHA Accounting Department: to ensure clients receive funds for living expenses.

Community Mental Health Affiliates ‐ Job Description

Job Description: Recovery Specialist Effective: January 2011

DMHAS, DSS, DDS, DCF, Tenants, Landlords, Visiting Nurses, Health Department, Outside Clinical and
Medical Providers, Legal Representatives, Family Members, Temporary/Transitional Living Facilities;
to ensure clients receive needed support.

Minimum Requirements:
Education: B.S. Degree in a mental health related field preferred or equivalent experience
Credentials and
Licenses:

Must have valid driver’s license, own a vehicle, and be able to obtain a public
service license. Certified in PMT training, First Aid, and CPR. Participate in at
least 12 hours of Job Specific training annually.

Experience Successful experience working in Case Management or related field with a
solid understanding of Mental Health conditions, preferably a minimum of one
year.
Beginner to intermediate experience with Microsoft Office products including
Word and Outlook. Experience in or the ability or willingness to learn how to
use an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, which includes appointment
scheduling, authorization tracking, assessments, treatment plans, progress
notes, and discharge summaries.

Competencies:
Behavioral Skill Sets

 Interpersonal ability to establish trusting relationships with clients and
their families

 Ability to work flexible schedule.
 Ability to respond calmly to emergency and crisis situations with

clients and their environments.
 Ability to design, deliver, and ensure highly individualized services and

support for specific client situations.
 Organizational ability to deal with many groups and individuals at once

and ensure that client receives benefits and services.
 Ability to ensure the security and confidentiality of client information

and records in a manner consistent with professional and agency
codes of ethics

 Awareness/sensitivity to all types of issues related to client diversity.