This article is all about Recovery Support Worker Job. A recovery support worker (RSW) is a person whose job is to aid people suffering from mental health issues, learning disabilities, drug addicts and need a recovery to help them live in a healthy independent living. Instead of facility-based healthcare, recovery support workers are focused on providing more practical support to the patient and giving care and companionship, and assessing the needs of their users. They maintain writing reports, programs, and liaising with the friends and family of the user. The RSW may also perform drug tests or interventions during recovery.
Job Description
Recovery support workers’ key role is to support the participants in their journey of recovery while developing independent and holistic support. The RSW may use a range of streams involving personal helpers and mentor programs as well for further assistance.
The role of a recovery support worker is based on giving opportunities, support, and services to the participants to help them develop or redevelop their skills, the confidence needed to reconnect with society. The RSW needs to ensure that the services are accessible to the participants and they are well-coordinated, integrated, and complementary to other services in the community. This is accomplished by giving personal and direct attention through outreach facilities, assigning referrals, connecting with appropriate services, and constant supervision on the revision process.
Job Duties
The number of clients and number of hours of work may work according to the company rules and may involve more than 1 project at a time. In some jobs, the recovery support worker may also need to administer the personal budget to assist the clients. The companies even hire even individuals who have once received recovery and can connect with clients to form a congruent, non-judgemental relationship.
Other key tasks that may be required in the job are as follows:
Client Support
You should be able to manage and coordinate the intake and assess the eligibility of the programs and services provided according to the client’s needs.
Supervise a caseload of clients and manage activities like preparing a risk assessment, individualized recovery plans based on various programs and schemes
Independent support programs
The participants should be given individual attention with personalized goals and making sure that the goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant for the participant and these goals could be reviewed and evidence-based for proper evaluation and tracking of their journey through the program.
The participants should be encouraged to participate in community activities and provided support by the recovery support officer.
The recovery support worker should be able to incorporate the administrative tasks including case notes, follow-ups on clients, and recording/reporting of data.
Service Quality
The RSW should be able to make networking with other agencies as well to help in the promotion of programs and create strong relationships in the community. Although it may vary according to the company/organization’s needs.
The team culture should be highly valued and promoted by the recovery support worker. The values and preferences of the client, and their family members are equally valued and cared for. They should feel like they are respected, recognized, and well understood.
The participant should also be evident in the documentation of support, reviews, and outcomes. They can also be recorded and uploaded on the online platform as well.
Safety
The safety of participants is a priority. Work, health, and safety should be balanced and maintained in the workplace.
General
The professional records of all statistical data should be properly maintained following company/ organization standards of practice and the guidelines.
The worker should stick to the program guidelines given by the company/ organization and also the government legislation on the mental health act, national mental health services standards, child protection, and privacy laws.
Quality Assurance
Monitoring of continuous improvement processes and remain in compliance with the quality assurance policies of the company/ organization
You should also contribute to the agency policy and procedures. The work should always be done within the ethical standards of the company.
Human Resources
Supervision should be done regularly of all programs under you.
Participation in any review and planning process may also be required by the company as the job responsibility.
Participation in any other activities like negotiation with team leader and program manager or professional development.
Other duties could be requested by a team leader or manager of the company.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications needed
Mental health certificate, community service of related discipline
Experience in writing case notes, follow-ups on patients, documentation using client information systems or other similar platforms. (Experience is an asset but not necessary)
Skills
Ability to connect with clients and build a relationship with them
Understanding of the impact of mental illness on the lives of people of different backgrounds and their situation
Good communication skills (written and oral)
Intermediate skills in using Microsoft office suite I.e word, excel, and outlook.
Administrative and time management skills.
Understanding the clients and a belief in them for the recovery and designing recovery-oriented models for each client.
Positive personality and outspoken person.
Good listener who knows how to reflect and learn.
Bright and friendly person.
The positive role model that the clients can look up to.
Treats clients with respect and care.
Salary
The certified recovery support worker earns up to $18/hour and the annual salary may vary from $37k- $50k. The salary varies with the experience and the company norms. A certified person with experience of three to four years is paid a handsome salary for the job of a recovery support worker. However, a fresher may earn an average rate of $15-$18/hour rate. Although there are companies like Somerset County that pay $38.50/hour and mental health systems pay nearly about $21.93/hour.
The salary rate may also change with the location. The salary rate list of different cities is:
Houston, Texas: $16.59/hour
Phoenix, Arizona: $15.27/hour
Westminster, Massachusetts: $14.04/hour
Tulsa, Oklahoma: $13.82/hour
New York: $13.54/hour
There are other benefits as well which are given to a recovery support specialist along with the salary which includes 403 (b), free flu shots, stock options, paid sick time, employees assistance program, tuition reimbursement, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, disability insurance, paid leave.
Key selection criteria
- A certificate IV in mental health or community service or a related discipline or either a two to three-year experience of working in a similar field or job position.
- Experience in working with mental illness and understanding their problems.
- Show understanding of and trust in client-focused, strength/ recovery-based models of service
- Experience in case management, case notes, or follow-ups with the ability to coordinate many services.
- Team support and ability to work effectively in a team.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and fluency in communication skills highly focused on clients and their families for creating effective networks.
- An active driver’s license (optional)
- Ability to monitor confidential information and maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Other Requirements for Selection:
- National Police check
- Working with children
- Verbal references
- Highly attentive to detail
- A clear drug test
- Own transport
- High school diploma or GED
- Work closely with other professionals to provide counseling and rehabilitation therapy to the clients.
Working Hours
The working hours may vary according to the company you wish to apply to. So check their website for all details on the working schedule. On average, a recovery support worker needs to have a flexible schedule and may be required to work a shift rotation. Some late shifts may be included, or some weekends or bank holidays will be working as well. Though, night shifts are not included in the schedule.
You should be available for emergency on-call services as well and work on public holidays and weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a recovery support person and what does he do?
A recovery support worker is a person whose job is to aid people suffering from mental health issues. They aid people with mental health issues, learning disabilities, drug addicts, or people with criminal offense backgrounds. They create a respectful, understanding, and positive environment for these people so that they can easily live a respectful life in a community. Their goal is to help their clients or participants establish independent living.
What does a peer support worker do?
A peer support worker meets with clients regularly to conduct one-on-one counseling with them and support them. They develop recovery plans for the participants and do other tasks as well like coping methods, rehabilitation strategies, scheduling medical appointments, therapy sessions, support groups, community activity to help the client.
How can you prepare for the interview?
It is very important that you understand the job duties, and are well aware of the job you are interviewing for. Rehearse several times on how you match their description and ensure that your experience is relevant for the job. Even if you have no experience prior you should be able to showcase that your skills are relevant and are exactly what they require.