Recovery Advocate

**About Us**

Delivering compassionate care and achieving the best outcomes for people suffering from addictions to alcohol and drugs and mental health conditions, is at the heart of everything we do. All of us at Castle Craig are committed to this purpose.

We operate an abstinence-oriented, 12 Step informed programme for addictions and have run a successful therapy programme since 1988. We are located 45 minutes from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow, in the beautiful Scottish Borders.

We are leaders in the UK and European rehab field, treating up to 82 patients onsite and many more via teletherapy. We also have clinics and networks in Ireland, London, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Castle Craig is a unique place to work where you will have the support of a strong team and opportunities for professional development.

We are currently looking for a Recovery Advocate to join our team on a fixed-term contract and to help people on the path to a healthy recovery from addiction.

**Requirements for the role**:

- Knowledge of the Castle Craig Treatment programme and in-depth understanding of the 12 steps of Recovery; be competent to facilitate awareness and appreciation of this programme with the community
- Must be a competent communicator of the 12 steps programme of AA / NA
- Able to assist the therapy team and the nursing team in the delivery of care
- Be a team player, flexible and responsive to the needs of the service
- Able to assist in the delivery of a high standard of care relating to all the needs of the patients, promoting their equality and dignity at all times
- Able to be trained and competent to perform basic life support and remain updated yearly in the skills necessary to provide basic life support and recognition and management of intoxication and opioid overdose
- Carry out all responsibilities with due regard to the hospital’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

**Job Duties**
- Assist the Lead Therapist and Nurse in Charge prioritizing tasks with the line manager and ensuring assistance to the nursing team as required;
- Monitor patient behaviours while on duty, ensuring conduct is acceptable
- Provide short written reports at end of each shift to the team
- Be proactive in offering assistance and support and be present in the community and available to talk with patients
- Check patients are present at lectures and groups in good time; check smoking areas and rooms
- Assist with setting up lecture DVDs / Zoom recovery meetings
- Experienced trained staff to facilitate assigned groups e.g., peer evaluation, mindfulness, Step 1 groups, therapeutic readings, drumming therapy, evening reflection;
- Deliver workshops with the approval of the Lead Therapist
- Facilitate evening activities and exercise leading walks on occasions in evenings and weekends
- Assist therapists with assessment and screening questionnaires
- Redirect patients and warn of violations of programme rules/expectations
- Escort patients where necessary on various activities e.g., dentist, spa, swimming, recreational activities
- Ensure the safety of the community by checks of buses and bags on return from any outings.
- Ensure patient communities have left their areas tidy at the end of the evening
- Support with delivering medical samples to West Linton
- Support with activities in the patient shop as required.

**Specific Patient Care**
- Assist nurses with patient hygiene, mobility, physical comfort, nutritional needs, eating and drinking, whilst observing and reporting specific changes when this is required
- Assist with drug screening
- Assist in the admission of new patients, inspection of belongings, and promote patient safety
- Assist in overseeing and serving breakfasts / meals if required
- Assist in the maintenance of hospital cleanliness in particular during outbreaks and times when infection control is paramount
- Ensure patients keep their bedrooms and living areas tidy and address any non-compliance
- Be aware of the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

Hours of work need to be flexible to meet the exigencies of the service and correspond with other rotas for nursing and therapy teams to ensure that appropriate cover is present.

**Schedule**
- 12-hour shift
- Weekend availability

**Benefits**
- Staff meals
- On-site parking
- On site Gym
- Sick pay
- Shop discount

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 3 months

Pay: £11.44 per hour

Expected hours: 48 per week

Schedule:

- 12 hour shift
- Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 16/02/2025