Certified Peer Recovery Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY

The Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) supports individuals with substance use challenges by drawing upon lived recovery experience, professional training, and peer support practices. The CRPA engages individuals in recovery services, promotes connection to community resources, and provides non-clinical support throughout treatment, recovery, and transition planning.

The CRPA works collaboratively with program staff and community partners to encourage recovery engagement, strengthen connections to available resources, and support individuals in navigating services and recovery pathways.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Peer Support and Outreach

• Engage in outreach with individuals currently participating in services or considering treatment to foster trust and encourage participation in recovery services.
• Utilize personal recovery experience and professional training to support engagement in treatment and progress toward recovery goals.
• Provide encouragement, education, and non-clinical peer support consistent with the individual’s recovery plan.
• Educate program participants regarding different recovery pathways and available resources.

Recovery and Community Support

• Connect individuals to community-based recovery supports consistent with treatment, recovery, and discharge plans.
• Promote awareness of social services and other community-based support resources.
• Link participants to formal recovery support services and assist with accessing benefits and resources as appropriate.
• Support individuals in navigating community services and recovery resources.

Advocacy and Transition Support

• Provide non-clinical crisis support, particularly following hospitalization or incarceration, to assist individuals with navigating transitions.
• Accompany individuals to medical appointments, when appropriate, to provide peer support and advocacy.
• Collaborate with program staff and community partners to support continuity of services.
• Complete other job-related duties as assigned.

COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain required CRPA certification or provisional credential in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Follow RECAP policies, procedures, program requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant, employee, and organizational information.
• Comply with applicable confidentiality requirements related to substance use disorder services, including 42 CFR Part 2, as applicable.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when providing peer support services.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Participate in required training, meetings, quality improvement activities, and program initiatives.
• Support a safe, respectful, recovery-oriented environment.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and reliability.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with participants, families, coworkers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness, respect, and sensitivity toward individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
• Maintain a person-centered, recovery-oriented approach.
• Support RECAP’s mission, values, and commitment to providing quality services.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability based on program and participant needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in office, residential, and community/field environments. The position may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, traffic, and other community-based environments. The employee may interact with individuals experiencing varying levels of need and may encounter situations requiring appropriate judgment, professionalism, and adherence to safety procedures.

If driving is required as part of assigned duties, the employee must follow all applicable traffic laws and RECAP safety requirements.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

RECAP is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the organization.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

RECAP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. RECAP reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities based on organizational and program needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) or CRPA-Provisional (CRPA-P) required.
• Personal experience with substance use recovery and a commitment to supporting others in their recovery journey.
• Valid New York State driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to establish trusting and respectful relationships with individuals receiving services.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequent standing and walking.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout office, residential, and community environments.
• Ability to accompany participants in community settings and to appointments as required.
• Ability to use standard office and electronic equipment.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must maintain a current CRPA or CRPA-Provisional (CRPA-P) credential as required for the position.
• Must maintain required credentials in good standing and complete renewals within applicable deadlines.
• Must maintain a valid New York State driver’s license throughout employment and maintain an acceptable driving record when driving is required for assigned duties.
• Must successfully complete any required agency vehicle or driver requirements.
• Must successfully complete required pre-employment background screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete the required pre-employment drug screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete any required physical examination or health clearance.
• Must maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Must complete required agency, program, compliance, and departmental training.
• Must comply with all RECAP policies, procedures, program requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Must comply with applicable HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements, as applicable to assigned duties.
• Must maintain confidentiality of participant, employee, clinical, and organizational information.
• Must exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive participant and program information.
• Must maintain proficiency with required electronic systems, databases, and other technology necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Must successfully complete any required agency-specific training, credentialing, or program requirements.
• Must perform other job-related duties as assigned.