Recovery Support Specialist

Location: Johnston, IA
Schedule: Full-Time, On-Site
Pay: $23 - $25/hr. (depending on experience)

Job Summary

Des Moines Wellness Center is seeking a dependable, relationship-driven Recovery Support Specialist to join our team. This is a unique, client-facing role that combines recovery support, patient engagement, financial coordination, discharge planning, and ongoing communication with clients before and after treatment.

The Recovery Support Specialist will serve as an on-site extension of our corporate revenue cycle and billing teams while working closely with facility leadership, clinical staff, nursing, admissions, and executive teams. This position is ideal for someone who is professional, organized, comfortable building strong client relationships, and able to communicate clearly and respectfully about sensitive financial matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong, professional relationships with clients throughout their treatment stay.
• Educate clients and, when properly authorized, their emergency contacts or family members regarding insurance payments that may be mailed directly to the patient.
• Maintain consistent communication with clients before and after discharge regarding expected insurance payments.
• Coordinate the secure collection and processing of patient-directed insurance checks in accordance with company policy and applicable authorization requirements.
• Travel locally using a company-provided vehicle to retrieve insurance payments when necessary and appropriately scheduled.
• Maintain accurate, real-time documentation within a shared payment-tracking system.
• Work directly with the Director of Revenue Cycle Management to monitor outstanding payments, anticipated check dates, completed pickups, and follow-up activity.
• Participate in daily census discussions, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary facility meetings.
• Support client retention efforts by identifying concerns that may contribute to an unplanned or against-medical-advice discharge.
• Provide peer-oriented support, encouragement, and appropriate problem-solving while escalating clinical concerns to qualified facility staff.
• Ensure financial communication is handled respectfully, transparently, and without disrupting the client’s treatment experience.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, organizational policies, and professional boundaries.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with clients, facility leadership, and corporate revenue cycle leadership.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Additional education or experience in behavioral health, peer recovery, case management, healthcare, customer service, or financial services preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, recovery support, patient advocacy, or peer mentoring strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with individuals from different backgrounds.
• Comfortable discussing sensitive financial matters in a respectful and professional manner.
• Highly organized, responsive, and able to manage ongoing follow-up responsibilities.
• Comfortable using Google Sheets, email, electronic documentation systems, and basic reporting tools.
• Valid driver’s license and driving record that meets company insurance requirements.
• Ability to travel locally using a company-provided vehicle.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while remaining supportive and approachable.
• Personal recovery experience may be valuable but is not required.

What Success Looks Like

The ideal candidate will become a trusted presence within the facility and a reliable connection between clients, facility leadership, and the corporate billing team. Success in this role requires clear communication, consistent follow-through, accurate documentation, and the ability to help clients understand their responsibilities without making them feel pressured or judged.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to work directly with both facility leadership and corporate revenue cycle executives. It is ideal for someone who enjoys helping people, building relationships, solving problems, and contributing to the continued gro