Residential Support Specialist- TSS
Behavioral Health Network (BHN) is a leading statewide provider of behavioral health services and a Certified Great Place to Work. Since 1938, BHN has helped individuals, families, and communities thrive through compassionate, high-quality care and support. With deep roots in Western Massachusetts and a growing presence in communities throughout the state, we are currently seeking a Residential Support Specialist to join our Transitional Support Services (TSS) team and help advance our mission of empowering people to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
What We Offer:
- Purpose-Driven Work – Make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Western Massachusetts.
- Professional Growth – Access ongoing training, mentorship, career development, and advancement opportunities across one of the region's largest behavioral health organizations.
- Supportive Team Culture – Join a collaborative workplace guided by our HEART values: Humanity, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.
- Stability & Opportunity – Build your career with a well-established organization serving Western Massachusetts since 1938.
- Comprehensive Benefits – Generous PTO, 403(b), educational assistance, medical, dental, vision, employee assistance programs, and more.
- Certified Great Place to Work – Work for an organization recognized for creating a positive and engaging employee experience.
What You Will Do:
- Provide direct, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented support in a safe, structured Transitional Support Services residence for adults with substance-use and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
- Build respectful, supportive relationships and help individuals identify strengths, recovery goals, immediate needs, and practical next steps toward greater stability and independence.
- Assist with daily routines, personal care, meals, household responsibilities, and other individualized needs while promoting choice, dignity, self-direction, and healthy living skills.
- Support individuals in following recovery and service plans, practicing coping and relapse-prevention strategies, attending groups and appointments, and strengthening self-advocacy and community-living skills.
- Observe individuals' physical health, behavioral health, recovery progress, and overall safety; communicate changes or concerns promptly and collaborate with clinical, nursing, and recovery-support team members.
- Support medication routines, administration, and related documentation in accordance with prescriber orders, applicable Medication Administration Program requirements, and program procedures.
- Use trauma-informed de-escalation, harm-reduction, and crisis-prevention approaches; respond appropriately to urgent situations and follow established health, safety, emergency, and reporting procedures.
- Help individuals connect with outpatient treatment, medications for addiction treatment, healthcare, benefits, housing, transportation, peer and natural supports, and other community recovery resources.
- Support admissions, appointments, transportation, community activities, and discharge or transition planning to promote continuity of care and successful movement to the next level of recovery support.
- Complete shift summaries, progress notes, incident reports, medication records, health documentation, and other required records accurately and within established timelines.
- Maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and substance-free residential environment and participate in shift communication, team meetings, supervision, required training, and quality-improvement activities.
Who You Are:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- At least six months of experience in substance-use treatment, behavioral health, human services, residential support, recovery services, or a related setting preferred; BHN provides role-specific training.
- Valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle available during working hours required.
- Commitment to recovery, harm reduction, individual empowerment, choice, human rights, dignity, safety, and successful community integration.
- Ability to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed support to adults with substance-use and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
- Ability to support daily-living activities, recovery goals, medication and health routines, crisis prevention, relapse-prevention strategies, and transitions between levels of care.
- Strong interpersonal, teamwork, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to remain calm, respectful, and professional in urgent or emotionally challenging situations.
- Good organization, time-management, documentation, observation, problem-solving, and follow-through skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and interruptions.
- Familiarity with computers, electronic records, internet, word-processing, email, and agency communication systems.
- Ability to complete required training and follow Massachusetts DPH/BSAS standards, Medication Administration Program requirements when applicable, and all health, safety, confidentiality, and program procedures.
- Ability to work assigned shifts in a 24-hour residential program and meet the physical requirements of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
We Hire for HEART!
Since 1938, BHN has delivered high-quality, culturally responsive behavioral health care, building deep roots in Western Massachusetts while expanding our impact in communities throughout the state. Our core values—Humanity, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork—guide how we lead, serve, and support one another. If you’re ready to bring your skills and experience to a mission-driven organization where your work can make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Pay Range: $21.00-$24.00