CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

WHO IS A CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST?

A Certified Recovery Support Specialist is a trained and certified professional who helps people recover from alcohol and other drugs (substance use challenges). They provide support, guidance, advocacy and encouragement to achieve recovery goals.

WHERE DOES A CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST WORK?

Certified Recovery Support Specialist work in both public and private settings, including drug and alcohol recovery programs, community centers and hospitals.

WHAT DOES A CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST PERFORM?

Certified Recovery Support Specialist can perform a number of patient-related responsibilities such as conducting assessments, leading group sessions, helping develop life skills, and potentially facilitating interventions. Generally, Certified Recovery Support Specialists provide an understanding and empathetic environment in which patients can discuss and learn to cope with stressors related to substance abuse. They provide short-term or long-term support which is essential for persons with substance use challenges. They generally work alongside other professionals who handle substance use issues. They generally work full time; however, some facilities may have urgent care patients in need of care 24 hours a day. 

PROFESSIONAL DEMAND FOR CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

There is a quick growing demand of Certified Recovery Support Specialist

The demand for Certified Recovery Support Specialist is quickly growing, resulting in positive employment outlook, with an estimate of 43,600 jobs openings each year from 2023 over the next decade.² The quick growing demand of Certified Recovery Support Specialist is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Increased awareness and acceptance of mental health and substance use issues;
2. Increased access to health care and support services;
3. Alcohol and other substance use epidemic, which has increased the need for addiction treatment and recovery support services¹¹ .

DECEMBER 2024 SURVEY OF CERTIFIED RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS MONTHLY AVERAGE SALARY

COUNTRY	MONTHLY SALARY (USD)	MONTHLY SALARY (RAND)
New Zealand1	$6, 250	R116, 713.75
USA2	$3,102	R57, 792.37
UK3	$2, 428	R45, 30.96
Germany4	$4, 816	R89, 934.95
Australia5	$7, 083	R132, 269.36
Spain 6	$1, 792	R33, 464.17
Canada7	$4, 925	R91, 970.44
France8	$3, 583	R66, 909.99
Sweden9	$2,479	R46, 293.34
South Africa10	$617.08	R11, 500

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST?

1. Three-semesters of vocational training.
2. Or 100 contact hours of training.
3. 1,500 hours of supervised working experience.

REQUIREMENT TO BE CERTIFIED AS THE RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

1. Completed Recovery Support Training (module 1 – 6) from approved provider of addiction Universal Curricula on addiction recovery.
2. Signed Global Centre for Credentialing and Certification Code of Ethics for recovery support professionals.
3. Passed International Certification examination for Addiction Professionals in Recovery Support.
4. Having a minimum of two years of soberness from alcohol and other drugs.

EDUCATION ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All SADC and Internaltion applicants must have a minimun of General Certificate of Secondary Education or equvalent.

South Africa Applicants:

• National Senior Certificate as certified by Umalusi.
• No less than 25 points.
• English at Level 4 (home)
• English first additional at Level 5

Lesotho Applicants

• LGCSE with minimum Pass (D) in 5 subjects including English.
• Applicants with a Diploma or Higher Diploma in a related field may be exempt based on credit point equivalency.

Botswana Applicants

• BGCSE with minimum Pass (D) in 5 subjects including English.
• Applicants with a Diploma or Higher Diploma in a related field may be exempt based on credit point equivalency.

Namibia Applicants

• Minimum of 25 points in any five subjects on the NSSC(O).
• Have a grade of D or better in English.
• Applicants with a Diploma or Higher Diploma in a related field may be exempt based on credit point equivalency.

REBOHEALTH TRAINING OF RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

Rebohealth trainings prepares students for International Certification for Addiction Professionals in Recovery Support, treatment, and prevention. Rebohealth is enlisted on the International Society of Addiction of Substance Use directory as Education Provider for addiction Universal Curricula for prevention, treatment and recovery.   Rebohealth is a member of the International Consortium of the Universities for Drug Demand Reduction. Rebohealth is registered with the Lesotho Ministry of Education and Training as the training provider for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

REFERENCES

1. Seek, Available at: https://www.seek.co.nz/career-advice/role/support-specialist/salary (Accessed: 12 Dec 2024);
2. Ziprecruiter, Available at: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Recovery-Support-Specialist-Salary (Accessed: 12 Dec 2024);
3. Talent.com, Available at: https://uk.talent.com/salary (Accessed: 12 Dec 2024);
4. Seek, Available at: https://www.seek.co.nz/career-advice/role/support-specialist/salary (Accessed: 12 Dec 2024);
5. SheCodes, Available at: hecodes.io/salaries/germany/customer-support-specialist (Accessed: 12 Dec 2024);
6. Seek, Available at: https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/recoveries-specialist/salary/in-sydney (Accessed:12 Dec 2024);
7. Salary Expert, Available at: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/specialist-tissue-recovery/spain (Accessed:12 Dec 2024);
8. Glassdoor, Available at: https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/recovery-support-worker-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm (Accessed:12 Dec 2024);
9. Plane, Available at: https://plane.com/salaries/customer-support-specialist/france (Accessed:12 Dec 2024);
10. Payscale, Available at: https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Recovery_Support_Specialist/Salary (Accessed:12 Dec 2024);
11. World Health Organization, (2024) Global status report on alcohol and health and treatment of substance use disorders.