State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Recovery Support Specialist (35 Hour) (5729HN)

$25.11-$34.04 Hourly / $1,757.48-$2,382.69 BiWeekly /
$45,870.00-$62,188.00 Yearly

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.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

The Recovery Support Specialist is a non-clinical role that provides peer support. This class does not involve treatment, assessment or evaluation activities. The duties are centered on mutuality and sharing a common recovery perspective and language with the client. With the knowledge and ability to link clients to community-based supports and other resources, a Recovery Support Specialist acts as coach and advocate, promoting the program values of autonomy, diversity and empowerment.

This class is used in the following ways:

  • Inpatient Settings (Connecticut Valley Hospital, Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Capitol Region Mental Health Center, and Southeast Mental Health Center): The primary role of the Recovery Support Specialist is to offer peer support to persons both prior and subsequent to discharge. They act as a peer transition and community resource connector for the client and are part of a centralized programmatic service providing observations to treatment teams.
  • Community/Outpatient Settings: The primary role of the Recovery Support Specialist is to offer peer support to persons seeking successful community living and serving as a member of a clinical support team in a non-clinical capacity.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a behavioral health professional.

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:

In addition to the duties listed above, the responsibilities move from providing one-on-one peer support to demonstrating and coaching the client through the development of coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, including:

  • 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.

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.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(25)-Patient and Inmate Care

BARGAINING UNIT

(10)-HEALTH NONPROF(NP-6)

EEO

(5)-Para-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

HN 14

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Recovery Support Specialist (35 Hour) in Salary Group HN 14 approved effective January 19, 2024. (Revised to modify Guidelines for Job Class Use, Minimum Qualifications and content.) Item No. 24-049

EFFECTIVE DATE

06/20/2024
CLASS: 5729HN; EST: 11/5/2010; REV: 6/24/2024;