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Recovery coaches play a crucial role in providing non-clinical support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction.
As a recovery coach in Arkansas, your primary role is to assist individuals undergoing addiction treatment, whether at a rehabilitation facility or within local communities.
Your responsibility is to provide support and motivation to patients, empowering them to persevere until they achieve freedom from substance dependency.
This article delves into the occupation of recovery coaching, highlighting aspects such as salary information and the steps to becoming a professional recovery coach in Arkansas.
Article Table of Contents
Professional Recovery Coach Job Description
Recovery coaches do not diagnose or treat others, as they are not therapists.
Their main objective is to offer support and guidance to help clients improve their lives and overcome addiction.
Recovery coaches can work with individuals addicted to substances, alcohol, food, sex, shopping, gambling, or other forms of addiction.
Some job duties include:
- Teaching clients essential life skills, such as cooking and cleaning
- Discussing clients’ goals and creating action plans
- Conducting safety and wellness checks
- Monitoring progress and providing accountability
- Providing access to other recovery resources
- Maintaining privacy and adhering to HIPAA guidelines
- Meeting with clients and their family members
Becoming a Professional Recovery Coach in Arkansas
Outlined below are the steps to becoming a professional recovery coach in Arkansas:
1. Earn a High School Diploma
Obtaining a high school diploma is mandatory for this occupation.
Alternatively, individuals who dropped out of school can earn their GED, as it is also accepted.
A high school diploma or GED demonstrates the basic skills required for the position.
Various alternative educational facilities in the area offer GED programs.
2. Enroll in Training
In order to pursue a career as a recovery coach in Arkansas, individuals are required to successfully complete a certification program approved by the state.
You’re also supposed to undergo a background check.
These measures are implemented as a standard practice in Arkansas to verify applicants’ competence and ensure a clean criminal record.
Arkansas offers a variety of educational options for individuals aspiring to become recovery coaches or peer specialists.
Prospective candidates can choose from online courses, certification programs, and college training courses to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
3. Obtain Certification
Certification is mandatory for this profession.
In order to work as a recovery coach or support specialist, it is necessary to obtain certification by passing the National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) test.
However, there are specific requirements that must be fulfilled before taking the test, as determined by the National Association of Recovery Residences.
These requirements include:
- Completion of an approved NCRS training program.
- Clearing a background check without any felony convictions.
- Adherence to ethical and professional standards.
- Accumulation of a minimum of 1000 hours of practical experience in the field.
The NCRS exam is administered in a computer-based format and consists of multiple-choice questions.
It evaluates candidates’ knowledge of rehabilitation principles, ethics, boundaries, and recovery-oriented care systems.
However, upon completing the training course, you may choose to sit for other certification exams.
Options include:
- International Coach Federation (ICF) certification
- Board Certified Coach (BCC) certification test
The BCC certification has the following requirements:
- 82 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours
- 16 hours in the Certified Addiction Coach (CAC) niche
Other popular certifications include CCAR, CARC, NAADAC, and NCPRSS.
The exam typically consists of 125 questions, with a passing score of 70.
4. Maintain a Clean or Sober Status
Many individuals pursue a career as recovery coaches due to their personal experiences and successful recovery from addiction.
For those individuals, having a minimum of one year of sobriety, ideally two years is essential.
Even if you don’t have personal struggles with addiction, it is prudent to adhere to the same expectations and guidelines set for your clients, including abstaining from illicit drug consumption, alcohol, and tobacco.
5. Gain Experience
While training and certification enhance your qualifications, additional experience can be beneficial.
Volunteering at a recovery center is an excellent way to gain practical experience in the field.
Some former addicts choose to become sponsors, but this requires at least one year of abstinence from the substance abused, along with two recommendations.
Professional Recovery Coach Training Options in Arkansas
Here are some institutions in Arkansas that offer training for aspiring recovery coaches.
UALR MidSOUTH Training Academy
The University of Arkansas in Little Rock has a Center for Prevention and Training of professionals.
The training is for substance abuse, violence, and other high-risk behaviors.
The provided training uses modern, science-based approaches to prevention.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| UALR MidSOUTH Training Academy | 2801 South University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 |
Salaries for Professional Recovery Coaches in Arkansas
Even before completing all the aforementioned steps, it is natural to be curious about the potential earnings of a professional recovery coach in Arkansas.
On average, these professionals earn around $32,176 per year in the state.
This means you will make $15 per hour.
For information on cities where salaries may be higher, please refer to the table below.
Keep in mind that several factors can influence individual earnings.
Some of these factors include your experience level and where you are located.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $32,604 |
| Jacksonville | $32,562 |
| Jonesboro | $32,473 |
| Conway | $32,286 |
| Pleasant | $32,286 |
| Texarcana | $32,180 |
| Fayetteville | $32,166 |
| Springdale | $32,166 |
| Rogers | $31,975 |
| Knoxville | $31,186 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 50 | $56,520 | $27.17 | $88,230 | $40,700 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 60 | $56,820 | $27.32 | $78,110 | $40,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there just one training school available in Arkansas for future professional recovery coaches?
No, I chose just a few to give you a headstart in your search.
How do I choose a school in Arkansas to become a professional recovery coach?
When opting for a school, you have to keep in mind the following:
- The degree of help offered to individuals during certification
- The cost of certification
- The tuition
- Ongoing education requirements
- The authority and reputation of the certifying organization
Aside from these aspects you might have a few others of your own.
Where can I work as a professional recovery coach in Arkansas?
Here are the main employers for such professionals:
- Individual and family services
- Hospitals
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
Read the full guide: How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach
Professional Recovery Coach by State