The Recovery Support Specialist provides peer support and case management to clients in crisis within a hospital deflection program. They facilitate illness self-management, conduct outreach, and assist clients in navigating mental health and substance abuse recovery.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have lived experience navigating mental health or substance abuse systems and possess at least a high school diploma or GED. A Bachelor's degree or Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification is preferred, along with the ability to drive for work.
If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.
Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!
A consumer of mental health services is needed to provide services to clients with mental illness and substance abuse issues within the Living Room program. The Living Room is a National, evidenced based hospital deflection program in which clients in crisis receive peer support to deescalate and restore healthy functioning without need for in-patient services. The Living Room is located in the South Suburbs and is open both during daytime and evening hours.
We are currently looking to fill a Recovery Support Specialist role at our Southwest office.
SALARY
The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $42,000 and $46,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.
Essential job functions
Provides information to clients and family members on mental illness, recovery and wellness, treatment options, and resources.
Assists MFS clients and people the client/family identifies as their supports (with appropriate consent) e.g., significant others, parents, family, caregiver in their understanding the impact of mental health issues/symptoms and achieving the best possible outcomes for themselves/family member.
Works collaboratively within a team to provide a full range of services including mental health case management and other related behavioral health and social determinants of health support.
Spearheads community support interventions to facilitate illness self-management, skill building, identification and use of natural supports, and use of community resources.
Reviews results of client assessments/screenings and symptom checklists and supports clients when needed to complete symptom checklist.
Conducts outreach and engagement for clients who may not be engaged in care or consistently miss appointments.
Benefits
Medical coverage
Vision coverage
Dental coverage
401k plan
HSA contributions
Employer match
Teladoc services
Provides medication monitoring and/or training to clients.
Participates in team meetings, huddles, and drop-in service time available to the team’s clients.
Co-facilitates groups as requested.
Assists team in identifying strengths and needs of clients.
Supports clients when transitioning to another level of care.
Maintains awareness of community resources and works to ensure service delivery maximizes available resources and services available within MFS and the community, as appropriate.
Prioritizes activities in collaboration with the supervisor to optimize client service delivery and achieve performance expectations.
Recognizes when to ask for help to maintain their own wellness plan.
Maximizes opportunities to expand knowledge and skills, and utilizes techniques learned.
Provides consultation to agency staff and the community, as needed, utilizing expert skills in training, conducting seminars, and working on special projects, as requested.
May serve on agency-wide committees and work groups or on community committees, as approved by supervisor and agency leadership.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Positive attitude and self-motivation.
Effective interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated good judgment in maintaining responsibilities of the position in advocating for the best interest of consumers served.
Must have basic computer skills.
Crisis intervention, development of crisis prevention plans, individual and group counseling, case management/resource development and program marketing and advocacy work.
Looking for candidate with lived experience with mental illness.
Qualifications
High school diploma, GED, or above required.
RSS must be an individual who is in recovery and has successfully navigated the MH and/or Substance Abuse system/s for his/herself and/or family member, required.
Bachelor’s Degree or Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) attained within six (6) months of hire.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or experience working with clients experiencing substance use preferred.
Additional requirements
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
Transportation/Travel requirements
• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites not required.
Physical demands
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.
More about us
Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.
