Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) (FT, Days)

What You'll Do:

• Peer Support and Recovery

  • Uses lived experience and personal recovery to provide hope, encouragement, and authentic peer support to individuals throughout the treatment and recovery process.
  • Builds trusting, therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and using appropriate self-disclosure to promote connection and recovery.
  • Supports individuals in identifying their strengths, preferences, goals, and personal definition of recovery, encouraging self-determination and active participation in their care.
  • Facilitates or co-facilitates individual and group recovery activities that promote wellness, coping skills, connection, and recovery-oriented goals.
  • Demonstrates respect for multiple pathways to recovery and supports individuals in identifying approaches and resources that align with their unique needs, preferences, and goals.
  • Support patients during post‑discharge transportation, offering engagement, encouragement, and guidance around their next steps in care.

  Advocacy and Individual Support

  • Serves as an advocate, support resource, and recovery-focused partner for individuals throughout their treatment journey.
  • Encourages individuals to actively participate in treatment planning, communicate their needs, and make informed decisions regarding their care and recovery.
  • Provides practical support and encouragement to help individuals navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop skills that support continued recovery and community integration.
  • Promotes a recovery-oriented environment by modeling hope, resilience, self-advocacy, and the belief that recovery is both possible and attainable.

  Community Resources and Recovery Connections

  • Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and supports individuals in identifying and accessing services that address their unique recovery, wellness, and social needs.
  • Helps individuals develop connections with natural supports, peer networks, community resources, and other services that promote stability and long-term recovery.
  • Provides education and encouragement related to available recovery resources, services, and community-based supports while respecting individual choice and self-determination.

  Trauma-Informed Support and Crisis Prevention

  • Uses trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered approaches to build therapeutic alliance, promote trust, and support emotional and behavioral stability.
  • Uses effective communication, active listening, empathy, and appropriate de-escalation strategies to support individuals experiencing distress or crisis.
  • Works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to promote alternatives to seclusion and restraint by identifying individual needs, recognizing triggers, and strengthening therapeutic relationships.
  • Supports a safe and respectful treatment environment while responding appropriately to changes in behavior, risk, or individual needs within the scope of training and role responsibilities.

  Clinical and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

  • Works cohesively with nurses, providers, clinicians, behavioral health staff, and other members of the multidisciplinary team throughout all aspects of an individual’s treatment and recovery.
  • Shares relevant observations, individual perspectives, and recovery-focused insights with the treatment team while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Participates in treatment and recovery planning and supports implementation of individualized goals, interventions, and discharge plans as directed by the treatment team.
  • Promotes continuity of care by helping individuals understand their recovery plans and connecting them with appropriate supports and resources.

  Documentation and Communication

  • Accurately and timely documents individual encounters, interventions, observations, and relevant recovery-support activities in the electronic health record in accordance with organizational standards.
  • Communicates significant changes, concerns, or barriers to recovery to appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team in a timely manner.
  • Maintains accurate, timely, and professional documentation while protecting individual privacy and confidentiality.

  Professionalism and Role Development

  • Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, self-awareness, and a commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented care.
  • Maintains appropriate boundaries and recognizes the distinction between personal recovery experience and the professional responsibilities of the RSS role.
  • Participates in required training, supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional development to strengthen peer support and recovery-focused practice.
  Performs other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must possess a current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist-Trainee (CPSS-T) certification. For eligible CPSS-T candidates, Connections Health Solutions will provide the required supervision hours and support necessary to obtain full CPSS certification
• Registered with Washington State Care Authority
• Individuals with lived experience in behavioral health recovery or the parent or guardian of a child with lived experience with behavioral health services and 18 years or older and in behavioral health recovery for a least one (1) year
• Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment
• Complete all credentialing requirements within the required time period, including but not limited to obtaining a National Provider Identifier (NPI), Medallion enrollment, Medicare enrollment, and any other necessary credentials as required for the role
• Must be able to obtain a Food Handlers Card for the State of Washington (BHS/RSS positions)
• Physical Requirements
  • Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally
  • Tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment
  • Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior

It would be great if you had:

• Three years or more of personal recovery desired.
• Behavioral Health/Substance Use Treatment or GMH Recovery experience.
• Completion of Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) CPC 40-hour training and exam
• Completion of specialized peer certifications (WHAM, ASIST, etc.)
• Knowledge of evidence-based/person-centered skillsets, such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Verbal De-escalation, Harm Reduction, and Person-centered language
• Valid Driver's license with a clean driving record

What We Offer:

Full-time only:

• Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation)
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays
• Company‑paid parental leave available to eligible employees

All employees (Pool, Part-time and Full-time):

• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
• After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan

Connections Health Solutions is proud to be a Second Chance Employer.

EEO Statement

Connections Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants.

Recruitment Fraud Warning

Connections Health Solutions has been made aware of individuals impersonating our recruiters and issuing fraudulent interview invitations and job offers.

Please note:

• Official communications come only from an email address ending in @connectionshs.com.
• We will never extend an offer without completing our formal interview process.
• We will never ask candidates to pay fees, purchase equipment, or send money as part of the hiring process.

If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent Connections Health Solutions, please contact myRecruiter@connectionshs.com to verify its authenticity before responding.