Recovery Support Specialist, BH Urgent Care

Position Summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is seeking a compassionate and recovery-oriented Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) to join our Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation team. This position plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and recovery-focused environment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary staff member within the peer-managed crisis observation milieu.
• Build trusting relationships through authentic peer engagement and recovery-oriented support.
• Provide recovery coaching, encouragement, and hope by sharing lived experience appropriately.
• Welcome individuals entering Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation and assist with orientation to services.
• Facilitate meaningful engagement activities that promote wellness, recovery, and connection.
• Conduct routine milieu monitoring and safety checks while maintaining a therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.
• Observe and promptly communicate changes in an individual's presentation, behavior, or support needs to the clinical team.
• Coordinate warm hand-offs to internal and external providers to promote continuity of care.
• Aid in transportation coordination and community resource linkage to support successful discharge planning.
• Support individuals in identifying personal strengths, recovery goals, and community supports.
• Document services accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while modeling recovery principles and person-centered care.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Required: Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), or eligible to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery that can be utilized in a professional peer support role.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during behavioral health crises.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to meet agency driving requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in crisis services, behavioral health, emergency services, peer support, or community mental health.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.