Are you passionate about making a difference in others' lives? Then come join the Straight and Narrow team!

Headquartered in Paterson, NJ, Straight and Narrow is the largest program of its kind. We provide innovative and compassionate services to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders. We are looking for dedicated, caring and compassionate people to work in our Residential/Outpatient Treatment Facilities and Community Programs.

Residential Life Associate (Part-Time)

Location: All Straight & Narrow Programs (Passaic/Patterson/ Secaucus)

Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm, 4:00pm-12:00am, 12:00am-8:00am (flexibility required)

Regular Salary: $17.00-18.00/Hr.

Job Summary:

The Residential Life Associate provides direct supervision and support to clients living in a structured treatment environment as well as a Halfway house setting. This role conducts 30-minute safety and wellness rounds, monitors and documents client behaviors, and supports daily routines aligned with treatment goals. Residential Life staff assist clients through their recovery process by reinforcing coping skills, promoting accountability, and maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment in collaboration with the clinical, medical, and administrative team. Ensure a clean and orderly physical plant and take a leadership role in maintaining a safe, disciplined and caring therapeutic environment for the person served. This is an awake position.

Position Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Supervision and Support:

• Provide direct supervision and support to clients at all times
• Maintain high visibility in client areas to provide structure and supervision.
• Assist/supervise clients in maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the facility.
• Assist clients in attaining internal structure by strictly following established schedule.
• Know the names of all clients on the unit and their room assignments.
• Introduce self to all new clients on their first day on the unit and inform them of your role on the unit and the times you will be present.
• Immediately informed the shift supervisor if the following personnel rations are not met on assigned shift -one (1) staff per twenty-four (24) client ratio during waking hours and one (1) staff per thirty (30) during sleeping hours, and two staff members at all times.
• Document client behavior utilizing the Electronic Health Record System (EHR) in accordance with funding sources and Medicaid protocols.
• You may not use personal cell phones while driving, while on duty, or while responsible for client supervision or care, except in emergency situations and in compliance with organizational cell phone and vehicle-use policies.
• Complete, document and ensure the completion of client rounds at least every 30 minutes and verify the presence of all clients listed on the roster.

Essential Job Duties:

• Have thorough knowledge of the contents of the Clients’ Handbook
• Conduct searches of client’s person and property as per policy and procedure
• Follow Policy & Procedure for any client on shift who is discharged, voluntarily leaves the program prematurely, or is removed from the agency by the authorities
• Collect and secure belongings of any client who leaves the program
• Collect clients’ urines for testing in accordance with Policy & Procedure for Clients’ Urine Screens
• Escort and monitor clients between CC- Straight & Narrow units and/or facilities as required
• Transport, escort and monitor clients on appointments outside the agency as assigned
• Supervise in-house client visits when assigned
• Ensure all documentation is included in the client’s physical chart or Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Know all company Policies and Procedures, guidelines, and daily operations
• Ensure all client’s areas and common areas are cleaned and organized at all times
• Assist with housekeeping duties when applicable
• Provide clients with approved non-prescription medication when requested in accordance with Policy & Procedure for “Non-prescription Medication kept on the Units.”

Documentation and Communication:

• Document all movement (e.g., emergency room visits, outside meetings, in-house meetings, etc.) on Round’s Report.
• Report any significant events or individual client or group movement outside the agency to the Supervisor on site and Senior Director of Residential Life
• Document major incidents on Shift Report (clients acting out behaviorally; medical emergency, reportable event; positive urines, or other suspicion and/or proof of drug or alcohol use; any major changes in clients’ scheduled activities)
• Complete Incident Reports for any unusual occurrences and submit to appropriate supervisors.
• Follow all Electronic Health Records (EHR) policies.
• Shift Change and Workplace Practice Responsibilities
• Follow Dress Code Policy
• Remain on shift until your replacement arrives. Inform the supervisor onsite immediately of your replacement’s absence.
• Help find an alternate staff member who would be willing to cover your responsibilities when you are not going to report to a scheduled shift. Submit name of alternate staff member to supervisor for approval before date out of the agency.
• Report to work, as usual, on any holidays that occur on a regularly scheduled workday.
• Review any and all Staff-to-staff Communication Logs filed since your last day of work prior to starting your shift and initial and date.
• Pass on keys and (where applicable) radios to incoming shift.
• Provide Educational/didactics to clients if assigned
• Crosstrain as assigned in all CC- Straight & Narrow Programs
• Work location and schedule assignment may be subject to change based on agency need.
• Facilitate and document sessions as assigned included but not limited to: psychoeducational and H&I groups sessions
• Provide Transportation using company vehicles only to clients for various appointment
• Drive Company Vehicle to different locations for job tasks as assigned
• Conduct client drug and alcohol testing according to policy
• Provide Crisis intervention and help de-escalate incidents as they occur.
• Maintain ethical conduct and appropriate boundaries at all times while delivering direct services to clients or representing the agency in accordance with agency standards and substance abuse best practices.
• Engages clients with professionalism and courtesy, both with verbal and non-verbal communication, works to de-escalate challenging interactions. Reports and documents behaviors as required to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

Medicaid Credentialing & Documentation Compliance:

• Maintain and satisfy all Medicaid-required qualifications and credentialing standards necessary to provide billable direct care services within the program.
• Deliver services in accordance with Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and applicable Managed Care Organization (MCO) requirements, funding sources, state contracts, state Fee for Service Initiatives (FFS), county contracts, etc. ensuring all activities are eligible for reimbursement.
• Accurately document all services provided to clients in a manner that fully supports Medicaid billing, medical necessity, and audit review.
• Complete documentation that is timely, complete, and compliant with all federal, state, and payer requirements, ensuring that services are verifiable and substantiated for reimbursement.
• Understand and adhere to the requirement that services not properly documented or performed by appropriately credentialed staff may not be billable under Medicaid funding.

• High school Diploma / General Education Diploma (GED) with experience in the social service or health field.
• Working towards the CADC/Recovery Specialist, Addictions and Mental Health experience preferred
• Addictions and Mental Health experience preferred.
• Have and maintain CPR/First Aid certification or achieve CPR/First Aid /ServSafe certification within thirty (30) days from the date of hire
• Good computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft computer programs and Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Must have a driver's license, which is valid in the State of New Jersey and points on license not to exceed 5 points. Required to drive agency vehicles to transport service recipients on a regular basis. Please follow the Agency Vehicle Driver’s Agreement.