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Recovery Advocate

Position Summary

The Recovery Advocate plays a vital role in supporting adolescents receiving care in a residential treatment facility. This position focuses on providing day-to-day support, mentorship, and advocacy to residents as they progress through treatment and recovery. The Recovery Advocate functions under the direction of the licensed clinical team and is responsible for implementing, reinforcing, and adhering to all clinical, behavioral, and safety directives as written and communicated. The Recovery Advocate serves as a positive role model, reinforces treatment goals, ensures safety and structure, and collaborates closely with the clinical and residential teams to promote a therapeutic, trauma-informed, and least-restrictive environment.

Key Responsibilities

Resident Support & Engagement

Provide direct supervision, support, and encouragement to adolescent residents in a residential treatment setting.
Build therapeutic, respectful, and developmentally appropriate relationships with residents.
Serve as a recovery-oriented role model, demonstrating healthy coping skills, boundaries, and communication.
Support residents in daily routines, including self-care, school participation, recreational activities, meals, and community living expectations.
Assist residents in identifying triggers, practicing coping strategies, and applying skills learned in therapy.

Advocacy & Recovery Support

Advocate for residents’ needs, safety, and well-being within the treatment program.
Reinforce individualized treatment plans, behavioral plans, and recovery goals strictly as directed by the clinical team.
Follow all clinical, behavioral, and safety protocols as established and overseen by licensed clinical staff.
Encourage accountability, responsibility, and pro-social behavior in a consistent and supportive manner.
Provide emotional support during moments of distress, crisis, or transition.

Safety, Supervision & Structure

Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment in accordance with facility policies, clinical directives, and state regulations.
Provide continuous supervision of residents and proactively identify potential safety concerns.
Utilize approved, non-physical de-escalation techniques and verbal interventions at all times.
As a hands-off facility, Recovery Advocates do not engage in physical restraints or physical altercations and must never place themselves in unsafe or dangerous situations.
Immediately seek assistance from supervisory or clinical staff when a situation presents a risk of physical harm.
Conduct room checks, head counts, and supervision of residents during all assigned shifts.
Ensure compliance with safety protocols, including suicide prevention, elopement prevention, and crisis response procedures.

Documentation & Communication

Accurately document resident behaviors, incidents, progress, and observations in a timely and professional manner, consistent with Joint Commission standards and organizational policy.
Communicate clearly, promptly, and professionally with the clinical team, supervisors, educators, and other team members.
Immediately report and defer to the clinical team regarding any safety concerns, changes in resident presentation, or situations requiring clinical decision-making.
Participate in shift reports, multidisciplinary team meetings, and required training.
Implement feedback, guidance, and corrective instruction provided by clinical leadership without deviation.

Program & Milieu Support

Assist with planning and facilitating structured activities, groups, and recreational programming as assigned.
Support the therapeutic milieu by modeling respect, consistency, and appropriate boundaries.
Transport residents to appointments, school, or approved community activities when required (if applicable).
Maintain cleanliness and organization of common areas in collaboration with residents.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum age requirement as mandated by state regulations.
Ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and required clearances.
CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field.
Lived experience in recovery, youth mentorship, or behavioral health support (where appropriate and compliant with policy).
Prior experience working with adolescents in residential treatment, behavioral health, child welfare, or similar settings.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and supportive in high-stress situations.
Consistent application of rules, boundaries, and expectations.
Cultural humility and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and identities.
Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Basic computer skills for documentation and communication.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Ability to remain alert, engaged, and mobile throughout assigned shifts, including standing, walking, and supervising residents for extended periods.
Ability to perform minimal physical tasks consistent with a hands-off, non-restraint treatment model, such as moving light objects, assisting with routine environmental needs, or supporting residents through verbal guidance and proximity.
No requirement to lift more than 25 pounds as part of routine job duties; any lifting beyond this must be performed with assistance, appropriate equipment, or by authorized personnel.
In alignment with Joint Commission standards and facility policy, Recovery Advocates do not engage in physical restraints, holds, or physical altercations and must never place themselves in unsafe or dangerous situations.
Recovery Advocates are expected to utilize approved non-physical de-escalation techniques, maintain situational awareness, and immediately seek support from supervisory or clinical staff when there is a risk of physical harm.
Work is performed in a residential treatment environment serving adolescents who may experience emotional or behavioral dysregulation; staff must consistently prioritize safety, dignity, and least-restrictive interventions.

Ethical & Professional Standards

Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, state regulations, and organizational policies.
Adhere to professional boundaries, ethical guidelines, and scope-of-role expectations at all times.
Strictly follow all clinical directives, treatment plans, behavioral protocols, and safety instructions issued by licensed clinical staff.
Recovery Advocates do not exercise independent clinical judgment and must defer all clinical decision-making to appropriately licensed professionals.
Demonstrate reliability, integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
Exercise sound judgment to protect personal safety and resident safety, including disengaging from situations that may escalate to physical risk and immediately notifying supervisory or clinical staff.

Supervision & Reporting Structure