Recovery Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Recover Now is to offer the highest quality and professional, Inpatient Detoxification, Residential Treatment, Partial Hospital Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient services.

We are committed to treating patients and their families with the highest regard and respect as patients work toward reaching their highest growth potential in their recovery process. This is accomplished through the strict adherence to the highest ethical standards of care and policies and procedures set forth by the Alabama Department of State of Health Services and the Joint Commission.

• Ensures all patients are treated with compassion, respect, and dignity regardless of race, creed, age, sex, handicaps, or sexual orientation.
• Employees are competent and responsible personnel who adhere to a strict code of professional ethics which include but are not limited to the prohibition of fraternization with patients, exploitation of patients, or any criminal behaviors.
• Provides patients with accurate and complete information regarding the available services including the program rules, regulations, goals and objectives of the program.
• Appropriate availability of alternative treatment modalities is made at any time before during or after treatment if they are requested or the patient’s needs are out of the scope of our practice.
• Ensures that discharge from treatment is conducted in accordance with Louisiana rule standards.
• Provides both Alabama and Joint Commission environment of care standards.
• Takes all necessary and appropriate measures to maintain individual patient records and information in a confidential and professional manner.
• Strives to maintain positive relations with the surrounding community and pursues every reasonable action to encourage responsible patient behaviors and community safety.
SUMMARY

The Recovery Advocate is responsible for performing advanced indirect and selected direct patient care duties in support of the clinical process in a competent manner under the direction of the program director or manager and for performing related clerical functions.

The mission of the RECOVERY ADVOCATE is to provide our patients with a consistent and adequate presentation of the 12-step program of recovery while inspiring hope through demonstration, communication, accountability, and compassion. Our vision is to incubate a psychic change in the lives of our patients.

AGE/PATIENT POPULATION(S) SERVED

Age of Patient Population Served: Adult (18 & older)

Population Served: Persons meeting DSM5 criteria for substance use disorders with or without co-occurring psychiatric illness

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.Delivers appropriate indirect and selected direct patient care at a competent level as directed by a program manager and/or director, physician, registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse within the scope of approved Recovery Advocate skills inventory according to the needs/age of the patient/population served.
2.Collaborates with other members of the healthcare team to plan, expedite and promote quality patient care; employs critical thinking skills when identifying and responding to patient needs.
3.Collects urine drug screens on all admissions and random UDS on all level of care patients, as appropriate.
4.Attends facility/community meetings and groups, conducts or oversees program orientation, searches belongings, collects unauthorized items to be placed in a secured area; conducts patient rounds and pe-rimeter checks every thirty minutes to ensure the safety of all patients.
5.Monitors patients’ whereabouts and documents any significant patient issues within the daily shift notes in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner. Immediately notifies appropriate operations/clinical/medical staff by end of shift using preferred method of communication.
6.Ensures safe care to patients adhering to policies, procedures, and standards of care, fostering a culture of patient safety.
7.Facilitates 12-Step lectures and group discussions and directly monitors and mentors the patients and their progress as needed.
8.Participates in the intake and discharge process of patients.
9.Promotes individual professional growth/development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education/skills competency; supports department goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
10.Performs basic housekeeping duties during course of shift, including but not limited to, cleaning rooms and bathrooms (toilets, sinks, showers), cleaning dirty utility rooms, etc.
11.Performs other duties and tasks as required.
12.When required to transport patients:

a.Prior to transporting patients, ensure that there are no alert signals active (i.e., check engine light, TMPS system, etc.) and that tires are properly inflated in accordance with manufacturer standards.

b.Accompany and transport patients as assigned.

c.Arrives promptly and ensures patients prompt arrival for appointment.

d.Follows vehicle operation rules.

e.Practices defensive driving techniques

f.Be able to verbalize protocol for transportation safety and for management of out-of-control behaviors.

g.Reports to Nursing or Lead Recovery Advocate concerns and/or issues related to patients transportation.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (ADULT, 18yrs+)

1.Allows patient to maintain control; involves patient in decision-making and planning of care, as appropriate to condition and situation.
2.Encourages participation in care.
3.Demonstrates clinical knowledge of expected adult vital signs and UDS collection.
4.Recognizes abuse/neglect and exploitation potential.
5.Encourages family support.
6.Recognizes/respects concerns over interruption of work/plans/separation from family, etc.
7.Recognizes fears regarding potential life style changes.
8.Encourages verbalization of fears and anxiety; maintains age-appropriate communication.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS Education, Training, and Experience Required:
• High School diploma or equilvency or 1 year work experience preferably in the field of chemical dependency and/or behavioral health.
• Preferred experienced as a Recovery Advocate, Direct Care Staff or Mental Health Technician, preferably in the field of chemical dependency and/or behavioral health.
• To transport patients: Must possess a valid, Class C driver’s license and have a clear driving record.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
1.Knowledge of industry standards as related to the position of Recovery Advocate.
2.Must be computer literate and be familiar with most Microsoft products and network components.
3.Must be thoroughly familiar and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles and programs of the various 12-Step fellowships.
4.Must be thoroughly familiar with the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
5.Accurately and timely enters clinical documentation using electronic medical records (EMR) software.
6.Written and oral communication skills; must be able to concentrate on work amid distractions such as noise, conversations, and foot traffic.
7.Must maintain self-control in volatile or hostile situations such as when verbally or physically confronted in an aggressive manner.
8.Must be able to work independently with little supervision in an unstructured environment with multiple demands.
9.Must possess a reading and writing level that provides for clear expression and/or understanding of assignments related to job description.
10.Ability to represent the program well in interactions both inside and outside the facility.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The job requires frequent contact with water (hand washing and cleaning) and working with body fluid and hazardous chemicals. When under these working conditions, OSHA standards and universal precautions must be followed at all times.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal to high volumes of stress.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT:

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEOC STATEMENT:

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

It is our policy to abide by all Federal and Louisiana laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a), prohibiting discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibiting discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.