Recovery Assistant - Caregiver​/Home Health Aide

✔ Verified

Role & Responsibility

Recovery Assistant services provided to the participant in his/her home and other community settings. These services include:

• Performing the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable to perform them, or assisting, or cueing the participant to perform them:
  
  • Meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping (e.g., changing linens, washing dishes, vacuuming/dusting, laundry, mending clothing repairs), basic household tasks (e.g., regulating home temperature, storing food appropriately, resolving issues about bill paying).
  • Dressing, personal grooming and hygiene (e.g., bathing, dressing, and oral care).
  • Appropriate use of emergency medical services.
• Assisting or cueing the participant to perform or become engaged in:

a. Family, social, and recreational activities.

b. Appropriate use of natural community supports (e.g., social clubs, faith-based supports).

c. Appropriate use of routine medical/dental services.

d. Use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration of medications.

e. Healthy habits (e.g., healthy diet, exercise, and behaviors designed to alleviate stress).

f. Fulfillment of personal commitments, and adherence to scheduled appointments/meetings (e.g., clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial/court).

• Assisting or cueing the participant to avoid:
  
  • Risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking/excessive use of tobacco products, unsafe driving/driving without a seatbelt, unsafe relationships, criminal activities).
  • Substance abuse.
  • Overspending.
  • Unnecessary conflicts.
• Supportive and problem-solving-oriented discussions with the participant.
• Establishing and maintaining a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant that involves such activities as:
  
  a. Escorting the participant to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments; b. Reading to or for the participant;
  
  c. Engaging in or discussing recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities.
• Other activities are directed at reducing disability, restoring participant functioning, and achieving independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and full community re-integration and independence.
• Participation in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings, if requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator
• Travel with a participant when the Recovery Assistant also engages in a qualifying waiver service activity.

Experience

• 1-3 years experience in a related field

• Working Conditions

• RA will work in homes, offices, or communities to assist clients in gaining skills on treatment plans.

• Should be able to stand, sit, run, lift 25-50lb.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Be at least 18 yrs. old.
• · Possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
• · Possess a valid Connecticut driver’s license, state-issued identification card, and auto insurance.
• · Be registered with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program, have a Criminal Background check conducted within six months of application, and meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.

Preferred skills

• Ability to work independently, good decision-making ability, and strong communication skills.

• Strong written skills

• Adaptive to change.

• Bilingual and or Sign language preferred

• Technology skills

Additional Notes

• Applicant must work a consistent and flexible schedule to accommodate the client's needs and clinical recommendations of the clients treatment plan.
• Professional work attire – Scrub bottom or shorts (3 inches above the knee), work shirt or black and white shirt, and sneakers or casual dress (workplace appropriate).

• No long earrings or necklace is worn to work.