CCBHC Veterans Recovery Support Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services • Merrionette Park, IL

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is seeking a Veterans Recovery Support Specialist for their Merrionette Park office. MFS is an organization dedicated to empowering families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive, with a strong emphasis on community. This role is specifically for veterans and involves supporting them through their recovery journey, system navigation, and community outreach.

Requirements

• Peer/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.
• Peer/RSS must have access to and is comfortable utilizing public transportation OR a valid driver’s license, access to a fully insured motor vehicle, proof of insurance and meet MFS driving record criteria.
• Peer/RSS must pass a State of Illinois background check, as required by MFS policy.
• 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.
• Military Veteran Status: Required for this veteran-specific role.
• Personal experience with mental health or substance use recovery and a willingness to share this experience professionally.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent, required.
• Must hold or be willing to obtain Illinois Certified Veteran Support Specialist (CVSS) or CRSS certification within 6 months of hire, required.
• Understanding of military culture and the unique challenges faced by veterans, including PTSD and moral injury.
• Minimum age of 21, valid Illinois driver’s license, and reliable transportation for community-based work.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or experience working with clients experiencing substance use, preferred.
• Training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), preferred.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and motivational interviewing.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting, mutual relationships with veteran clients through appropriate self-disclosure of your own recovery journey.
• Assist veterans in accessing services within the CCBHC and externally through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veteran service organizations, and community courts.
• Help veterans develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and identify personal strengths to drive their treatment.
• Serve as a bridge between the veteran and the clinical team, ensuring the veteran's choices define their care process.
• Partner with local veteran groups to educate the community on CCBHC services and facilitate "warm hand-offs" into care.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care to support veterans during mental health crises or transitions from inpatient care.
• Maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant records of peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
• Provides information to clients and family members on mental illness, substance use, recovery and wellness, treatment options, and resources.
• Assists CCBHC 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, substance use 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, substance use/abuse, physical health, case management and other 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 checklists and screens.
• Conducts outreach and engagement for clients who may not be engaged in care or consistently miss appointments.
• 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.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED