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Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
Nashville, TN
ABOUT DISMAS HOUSE
Dismas House is a holistic re-entry program with a 72-bed campus that includes 16 independent living units for residents needing more time to work on their transition plan. Using our proven Pillars of Programming, we have the capacity to serve over 175 residents per year. As the premier reentry program provider in the state of Tennessee, it is our vision that residents remain free and become self- sufficient, contributing members of society.
To learn more about the impact of Dismas House, please visit www.dismas.org
POSITION SUMMARY
Working from the Nashville office and under the supervision of the Clinical Director, Dismas House seeks a full-time Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) to provide support and peer recovery services to its residents. We’re looking for a compassionate, care-driven professional who believes in helping individuals discover, plan, and live a life in recovery. The ideal candidate has experience or a passion for working with justice-involved persons and a broad knowledge of recovery support programs (12-steps, SMART, Refuge Recovery, etc.).
The CPRS will cohesively work with the Dismas Care Team (VP of programs, clinical director, case managers, admissions manager, and program coordinator) who meets weekly to discuss each resident’s progress. They must have flexibility with work hours including the ability to work some evening and weekend hours as needed and must have a valid driver’s license, a reliable car and ability to go into Tennessee prisons and jails if needed.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Meet individually with residents as needed to assist in developing a personalized plan for recovery that meets the unique needs and strengths of that resident.
• Review progress and challenges and provide accountability for actions towards recovery.
• Meet regularly and communicate with the program team to discuss resident’s progress and discuss best practice.
• Manage the program’s recovery requirement process, including printing and stocking folders with meeting forms, reviewing comments, following up with residents, attend and vet potential meetings, and guide residents on obtaining sponsorship. Coordinate with Program Coordinator to ensure an integrated process.
• Conduct random drug and alcohol tests as needed. If female, order drug tests for residents as needed.
• Communicate regularly with residents about residential policies and resident concerns, answering questions about their needs, goals, and treatment plans.
• Maintain a current list of recovery resources.
• Document within Apricot each encounter with a resident that focuses on their recovery in a timely
• manner of by the end of the next business day.
• Attend all mandatory trainings, workshops and meetings as required.
• Schedule and attend 12-step and other recovery meetings as needed.
• Attend and escort residents on quarterly outing(s) as needed.
• Facilitate psychoeducation groups focused on addiction and recovery topics.
• Contribute to development and facilitation of recovery programming, in collaboration with
• Program Coordinator and Clinical Director.
• Develop recovery events and work collaboratively with Dismas staff to facilitate events.
• Assign and review step work with each resident, for those committed to 12-step recovery programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
DESIRED BACKGROUND & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
• Current CPRS certification with the State of Tennessee or in the process of becoming certified.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree or relevant years of experience.
• Broad knowledge of available recovery programs, including but not limited to 12-Step, SMART recovery, Celebrate Recovery, Refuge Recovery.
• Ability to identify and accept a resident’s stage of change while using MI and other strategies to increase motivation for change.
• 1-3 years of related experience in recovery support services.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a capacity to communicate effectively empathetically and with a trauma-informed approach to the clients we serve.
• Propensity to work with energy, a high degree of initiative and from a positive perspective while maintaining flexibility and attention to detail.
• Enormous passion for and commitment to the mission of Dismas House and serving and working with justice-involved persons; an understanding of prison culture desired.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities, including increasing efficiency around procedures, systems, and protocols.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of database programs & Windows-based operating system.
• Comfortable going inside correctional facilities.
COMPENSATION
Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, long term and short term disability, HSA and 401K and generous paid time off.
To apply:
Please send cover letter, resume and references to Careers@dismas.org
No person in the Dismas organization shall on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation be excluded from the participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity associated with Dismas House.