Patient Care Specialist I - Residential

About This Role

The Patient Care Specialist I is an active member of the multidisciplinary team, providing direct quality care to patients in a transitional living addiction recovery environment. This role involves continuous patient care, monitoring, interaction, and role modeling to foster a safe, positive, and supportive atmosphere for patients in ambulatory treatment.

Responsibilities

• Support patient engagement by modeling positive behaviors, encouraging program participation, applying motivational interviewing, and guiding individuals through program expectations with empathy, respect, and professionalism.
• Promote a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented environment by maintaining a calm presence, supporting recovery goals, and enforcing program rules consistently and respectfully.
• Support AMA prevention and early intervention by monitoring risk indicators, engaging patients in supportive conversations, and promptly communicating concerns to the treatment team.
• Assist with the admission process by monitoring new patients for safety and security, ensuring they are comfortable, safe, and informed about program guidelines and completing the required documentation.
• Facilitate patient cellphone access in accordance with Transitional Living Playbook, ensuring proper documentation.
• Follow all safety, medical, and infection control protocols, including handling sharps, conducting searches, observing drug screens, and administering heat treatments.
• Search patients and belongings diligently for contraband, managing valuables with respect and documenting according to procedure.
• Maintain readiness to respond to medical and behavioral emergencies through up-to-date certifications in CPR, MANDT, and overdose response including Narcan administration.
• Ensure timely, accurate EHR and facility documentation, including shift reports, critical incident reports, maintenance requests, and patient care observations in alignment with policy and accreditation standards.
• Facilitate or support patient activities and recovery support groups and encourage participation and engagement.
• Provide safe and compliant transportation for patients, maintaining accurate mileage and travel records.
• Assist with store run facilitation for patients in accordance with established guidelines, ensuring safety and adherence to procedures.
• Maintain a clean and safe physical environment by performing facility and room inspections, practicing universal precautions, and reporting or addressing facility concerns.
• Perform all duties in alignment with CARF standards to support continuous accreditation readiness.
• Maintain ongoing, current, and required training for best practice service delivery.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic computer skills including general knowledge of or willingness to learn Microsoft Office suite (including Outlook, Teams, and Word).
• Valid driver’s license in state of employment.
• CPR/MANDT certification (training provided locally and updated as required).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Nice to Have

• At least six (6) months experience working in a behavioral healthcare setting.
• Basic knowledge of addiction and the recovery process.

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits

Certifications