Recovery Assistant

PHMC is proud to be a leader in public health. West Haven is a 16-bed long-term structured residence for adults with serious mental illness.

West Haven is a 16-bed long-term structured residence for adults with serious mental illness. The Recovery Assistants assist residents in developing and sustaining the internal and external supports they need to live independently in the community while ensuring a safe and therapeutic milieu.

Responsibilities:

• Foster a sense of hope and trust through relationship-building experiences offered in an environment of encouragement, compassion, and open communication.
• Assist residents in identifying and developing written recovery goals that will support their transition into independent community living.
• Provide residents support in reaching their goals by offering skill-building techniques, coaching, role modeling, and emotional support both individually and in groups with their peers in such areas as: maintaining personal hygiene, maintaining a household, travel training, budgeting, socializing, using resources, illness management, pre-education and vocational support, problem solving, etc.
• Actively participate with residents in residential and community activities, including accompanying them to faith-based activities of their choice.
• Complete and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly documentation of progress and challenges the residents have in achieving their goals.
• Work with the treatment team to identify opportunities for community integration and activities.
• Report & document facility maintenance issues.
• Assist residents with doing laundry as necessary and appropriate.
• Complete incident reports for all reportable incidents.
• Maintain physical condition of the unit: empty trash cans as needed, keep all areas clear of papers and food, and ensure that bathrooms are in good hygienic condition.
• Perform one-to-one duty as needed.
• Follow the assignment sheet for breaks, rounds, special assignments, etc.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures, including professional image and ethical guidelines.
• Attend all mandatory in-service trainings and PHMCU trainings as scheduled.
• Attend 85% of staff meetings and document a 100% review of minutes.
• Maintain Bi-annual credentialing requirements, which include Physical exam, TB, Drug Screenings, Hepatitis Screening, FBI, and Child Abuse.
• Demonstrate appropriate therapeutic interventions for people with serious mental illness.
• Communicate pertinent information between shifts.
• Participate in monthly supervisions as scheduled.
• Utilize appropriate De-escalation techniques.
• Adapt interventions based on sensitivity to ethical, cultural, economic, and gender-specific issues.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of psychological and psycho-social factors related to severe mental health issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and willingness to incorporate strength-based and recovery-oriented techniques into client care.

Shift Responsibilities:

• Assist residents with personal hygiene and ADL skills throughout the shift
• Participate in daily Community Meetings and groups as scheduled
• Participate in weekly Treatment Team meetings as directed
• Support participants with the implementation of Recovery Goals as stated on Recovery Plans and Safety Plans
• Escort residents on medical appointments, shopping/grooming appointments, and outings as scheduled or directed
• Facilitate psycho-educational groups as assigned or necessary
• Ensure that linens are properly cleaned and stored. Providing support to residents who can perform this task independently.
• Meet with and provide appropriate services and support to assigned primary residents daily.
• Attend daily shift change at the beginning and/or end of each shift. Reporting all necessary information and incidents, including written documentation and reports
• Perform environmental rounds as scheduled.
• Assist with kitchen duty, which may include basic cooking and cleaning (to include dining room area)
• Complete the Chore List weekly.
• Assist residents with preparation for the next day (i.e., picking out clothes, prep for next day appointments, trips, visits, etc.)
• Engage in teaching residents to use public transportation
• Ensure that all staffing areas are clean and maintained, i.e., cleaning of staff microwave, offices, sanitizing phones/computers, and staff lounge.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the laundry room and washer/dryer, and clean and fold client clothes as necessary
• Conduct hourly resident checks (ensuring that you are aware of the location of all individuals within the site
• All other duties as assigned

Skills:

• CPR certified within 90 days of employment
• Must exhibit knowledge of basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and be able to become proficient in inputting information into the PHMC Electronic Client Service Record (CRS)
• Licensed driver in good standing required.

Experience:

• Has completed 12 semester hours of college training in a mental health-related field.
• A High School Diploma or Equivalent and a minimum of 6 months of formal training in mental health or a related field.

Education Requirement:

• Has completed 12 semester hours of college training in a mental health-related field.
• A High School Diploma or Equivalent and a minimum of 6 months of formal training or direct-care employment in mental health or a related field.

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.