Community Health Recovery Specialist

UPMC Health Plan is hiring a Community Health Recovery Specialist (CHRS)to support the Community Services team. This role will work Monday – Friday standard daylight hours with travel throughout Allegheny and surrounding counties to meet with members.  When not engaged in community activities, this position will operate in a hybrid model, balancing remote and office work based on team requirements.

The Community Health Recovery Specialist (CHRS) will work directly with individuals receiving services, family members, providers, and other stakeholders. This position requires a close understanding of the community served, enabling the CHRS to act as a liaison between health/social services and the community. The role involves assisting people with a history of substance use and behavioral health conditions by drawing on personal experiences and other resources. The CHRS will provide in-person care coordination, outreach, community education, social supports, and advocacy to improve access to services and enhance the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct one-on-one coaching sessions and lead support groups.
• Meet with behavioral health professionals treatment plans.
• Provide coaching and emotional support for members, individually and during support group sessions.
• Connect members with resources related to housing, employment, and additional treatment.
• Help members manage appointments with behavioral health professionals.
• Report concerns about health and safety to other members of the care team.
• Keep accurate records of client encounters and write recovery reviews to update client files.
• Maintain client confidentiality. Represent the organization to the general public, individuals in recovery, family members, and stakeholder groups. Promote principles of recovery with members, providers, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with care management staff for interventions. Assist in scheduling appointments as needed. Advocate for the members’ community needs, medical and behavioral health needs. Assist members with specific non-medical needs that affect health and access to care.
• Utilize motivational interviewing to identify the member’s strengths, needs, motivation, triggers, and goals
• Bridge the gap between physical health care and behavioral health treatment.
• Connect members to community-based treatment and recovery supports.
• Work in the community setting at least 80% of the time, having direct contact with members, support teams, treatment providers, and recovery supports.
• Provide telephonic assistance to members and family members concerning recovery tools and resources.
• Empower members to self-advocate and follow through with treatment.
• Travel throughout the region as needed.
• Support the Community Health Worker team with additional responsibilities as needed