14 Apr HELP WANTED-THE ADDICTIONS CARE CENTER

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

Over 50 years of serving our community, strengthening lives, & improving futures through comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment of substance use disorders.

Expectation for All Employees: Support the ACCA’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, professionalism, communication, commitment to our community, honesty, and accountability and ownership.

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA): The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate shall work with the Peer Service Coordinator and other staff to help sustain an active recovery community. The CRPA will serve as role model and or health coach for clients. The CRPA will work with existing agency personnel and outside agencies to provide education on the existence of drug and alcohol use prevention services.

Qualifications:
• Provide outreach to clients in order to facilitate their engagement in services and offer additional support so they can successfully participate in outpatient services including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Providing health coaching and recovery support, especially on issues of self-advocacy, wellness self-management, medication adherence, smoking cessation, entitlements, and daily living activities.
• Provide transportation for and accompany clients to medical and/or other appointments to facilitate their engagement and follow through as needed.
• Peers use their shared personal lived experience to promote client’s recovery, offering support, advocacy, and skill development opportunities.
• Documentation of services provided in an electronic clinical record (ECR) and OASAS reporting materials (GPRA surveys, monthly data workbook).
• Monitors overall service delivery to clients to ensure coordination and continuity, advocates with service providers and resources as needed.
• Ability to model behavior consistent with the mission of Addictions Care Center of Albany by acting as a liaison between the agency and the community we serve.
• Participate telephone as well as face-to-face outreach, engagement and service planning for the potential clients being released from jail from the Warren County Reentry Program.
• Acts as a resource and consultant to all ACCA team members on issues related to client’s substance abuse and treatment.
• Excellent organizational skills: ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must work a flexible schedule (including some evenings and weekends). Some travel required.
• Other responsibilities/tasks as assigned by the Program Director.

Knowledge Required:
• Successful recovery from addictions for at least three years preferred.
• Peers must be certified.

Education Requirements:
• Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or (provisional certification upon hire and receipt of full certification within one year) required and High School graduate or GED.
• Knowledge of medication assisted treatment, opiate overdose prevention and substance use disorders treatment and recovery services required.
• Relevant life experience required.
• Current valid driver’s license, and reliable vehicle.

Skill Requirements:
1. Writing – communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience.
2. Active listening – to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate.
3. Guidance – influencing and directing clients with service needs to ACCA.
4. Relationship building – cultivates and maintains centers of influence for referrals.

Abilities:
1. Oral Comprehension – to listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
2. Written comprehension – to read and understand information presented in writing.
3. Speech clarity – to speak clearly so that it is understandable to the listener.
4. Wrist-Finger Speed – to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, wrists.
5. Reasoning – to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
6. Documentation – ability to express in writing all case management related notes.
7. Computer skills – proficient in Word, e-mail, etc.

Physical Demands: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: stand; walk; climb stairs; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.

Job Title: Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)
Program: Mobile Recovery Unit CFR:
Reports To: Outpatient Clinic Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Created: September 2021, March 2023

For more information– contact HR Director Carly Padula via e-mail at [email protected]