Haley McLaughlin:
Receptionist > Utilization Review Coordinator > Utilization Review Supervisor > Director of Admissions
When I first started with RCA at Monroeville at the beginning of 2021, I walked into a literal construction zone! The site was just opened, there was dust everywhere and boxes in the hall waiting to be unpacked. For the four weeks it took for us to get set up and start accepting patients, I saw and met some of the kindest people willing to do anything and everything to help – that’s when I knew that I was in the right place.
Since the beginning, I have been so fortunate to have wonderful mentors who taught me the ins and outs of the addiction treatment industry. They made sure that I was set up for success and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m excited to see what the next steps in my career bring and to help save people’s lives every day!
Amber Engelhardt:
Receptionist > Admissions Coordinator > Primary Therapist
Soon after graduating with a BA in Psychology, I attended a job fair for RCA at Lighthouse in February of 2018. I always knew my end goal would be to provide therapy for those struggling with addiction, but I had little experience in the field aside from my education and didn’t know where to begin.
I had the pleasure of speaking with a recruiter, Garrett Touey, who guided me to apply for an open position in reception to familiarize myself with the concept of inpatient treatment. I accepted the part-time position in reception (which quickly grew to full-time) and immediately found passion in the field after interacting with our patients from their first step in the door, watching them grow throughout treatment, and discharging with smiles on their faces and hope in their eyes.
In June of 2018, I was offered a position as an Admissions Coordinator. I accepted the amazing opportunity to grow my career and work more closely with the patients. I learned so much from this new position.
The immense growth I experienced as an Admissions Coordinator led me into my current position as a Primary Therapist. I am now honored to work with our patients through every step of their recovery, and being able to play a direct role in their journey has given me so much fulfillment. I can confidently say I love showing up to RCA every day, looking forward to the future for myself, the amazing staff members, and our patients!
Anthony Hatton:
UR Coordinator > UR Manager > Director of Utilization Review > Director of UR and CSS Program > Director of Admissions and UR > Executive Director
I attended a job fair at RCA Westminster in 2017 with no idea what position I wanted or would be qualified for. Fortunately, Katie Sullivan was the first person I met and she pointed me in the direction of Utilization Review. From the first day I started in that role and still today my mindset has been to learn as much as possible from those around me. From our leadership team, nurses, clinical teams, medical team, drivers, RSS, and so on, the different perspectives and ranges of knowledge about substance use disorders and treatment is astounding. This has been and still is the most useful resource in my professional growth with RCA – the people I get to learn from on a daily basis.
In 2018 I was given the opportunity to join the leadership team here at RCA Westminster. There have been a few different departments I have managed, from utilization review, transportation, the CSS program, and now admissions, utilization, and transportation together. The common theme regardless of the department is the dedication and selflessness of the staff in those departments. We are constantly presented with different challenges and everyone rises to the occasion so that the company mission, to save 1 Million lives, continues to be carried out to the best of our ability.
Deciding to make a career change and join RCA has proven to be a life-changing decision. This is the only job I have ever had where the saying “it’s not work if you love what you do” is applicable. The staff at RCA and the patients we serve make every day fun and exciting. I can only hope that my passion and leadership has helped our staff in their professional and personal growth, and helped our patients move closer to achieving recovery.
Chris Woods:
RSS > Case Manager > Recovery Instructor > Business Development Officer
3 years ago, I had the pleasure to come onboard with Recovery Centers of America as a Recovery Support Specialist (RSS). As an RSS, I connected with individuals who were struggling much like I was at one point in my life. I was able to bond with patients and try my best to be an example of what recovery can look like. Even if a patient felt completely hopeless, I could relate to them. I could tell them and show them, I’ve been there, too. Here’s how I got through it. It’s the most inspiring, motivating job I’ve ever had.
As RCA grew, my team grew, too. Now, as a Treatment Advocate, I have the honor to go into our communities, to meet with individuals like myself and continue to break the stigma associated with substance use disorder. I engage with people or families who may be suffering from the disease of addiction and remind them that help is available and always one call away. It’s my job to let them know that when they call 1-800-RECOVERY, their phone call will be answered 24/7, 365 days a year, and that they aren’t alone; there’s hope, and a beautiful life is here for all of us.
Eli Naparstek:
Utilization Review Manager > Director of Admissions and Utilization Review > Executive Director
I would say coming to RCA Danvers in 2016 was such an exciting time myself, I was looking for that next step in my career and was offered the opportunity to manage the UR department for a start up facility opening up 207 inpatient beds. I was able to learn all of the nuances of our program, payor requirements, and what was needed to help our patients get the care they needed to achieve long term recovery.
After a year with the company in that role I was given the opportunity merge my current position with the admissions role as the Director of Admissions and Utilization review. I was able to navigate and set up processes to make us efficient, and accessible to our patients who need treatment. One of the best parts of this role was getting opportunity to form our team which every day has me in awe of how many patients they are able to help when they need our help the most and treat every one of them with such empathy.
This year I was given the opportunity to become the Executive Director at RCA Danvers, under the tutelage of our CEO Laura Ames and the ability to continue to work with a great leadership team in a new role. Having come into this role during a global pandemic, RCA’s mission is evident as our staff have shown their dedication by coming to work every day and caring for our patients. Everyday is a new challenge and working on ways to improve never stops. I am excited for the future as we continue to grow at RCA Danvers and strive to achieve of our mission to save 1 million lives, by working with each individual that comes through our doors to achieve long term recovery.
I have loved the opportunity of being part of a growing company. I have been able to not only professionally develop but help our staff develop. Every day is meaningful as we continue to be help people struggling with addiction achieve long term recovery.
