CCBHC Certified Recovery Support Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services • Merrionette Park, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services is hiring a Certified Recovery Support Specialist for its Merrionette Park office. The role supports people receiving behavioral health services by building trusting relationships based on lived recovery experience, helping clients access care and community resources, and ensuring their choices guide their treatment. The specialist works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team and supports clients and, with appropriate consent, the people they identify as supports.

The position includes recovery planning, education about mental health and substance use recovery, outreach and engagement, crisis support, group co-facilitation, medication monitoring or training, and assistance with transitions between levels of care. The specialist documents peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record and helps clients build skills, use natural supports, and manage their wellness. Work-related driving is required; transportation of clients in a personally owned vehicle is preferred. There is no travel between sites.

The average starting salary is $43,000–$48,000 annually. First-time MFS employees are offered a $2,500 sign-on bonus, paid as $1,250 on the first paycheck and $1,250 after six months of employment. Final salary depends on experience, licensure level, and relevant credentials.

Requirements

• Personal experience in mental health and/or substance use recovery, with successful navigation of the relevant system for oneself and/or a family member.
• Hold or be eligible to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential from the Illinois Certification Board within 12 months of hire.
• High school diploma, GED, or higher.
• Access to and comfort using public transportation, or a valid driver's license, access to a fully insured motor vehicle, proof of insurance, and compliance with MFS driving-record criteria.
• Pass a State of Illinois background check and all relevant screening and criminal background checks.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Positive attitude and self-motivation.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Good judgment in carrying out responsibilities and advocating for consumers' best interests.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including sustained sitting and standing; frequent talking, hearing, and handling or operating objects or controls; occasional bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching; and close visual acuity for data work and computer use.
• Work-related driving is required; transporting clients in a personally owned vehicle is preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential or experience working with clients experiencing substance use.
• WRAP Facilitator qualification.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting, mutual relationships with clients through appropriate disclosure of personal recovery experience.
• Help clients access services within the CCBHC and externally.
• Help clients develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and identify personal strengths to guide treatment.
• Provide clients and family members with information about mental illness, recovery, wellness, treatment options, and resources.
• Connect clients with the clinical team and support client-directed care.
• Partner with community-based organizations to educate the community about CCBHC services and facilitate warm hand-offs into care.
• Use de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed support during mental health crises.
• Maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant records of peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record.
• With appropriate consent, help clients and their identified supports understand the impact of mental health issues or symptoms and pursue the best possible outcomes.
• Collaborate with a team providing mental health, substance use, physical health, case management, and other social-determinants-of-health services.
• Co-facilitate groups as requested.
• Provide medication monitoring and/or training to clients.
• Lead community support interventions that promote illness self-management, skill building, natural supports, and use of community resources.
• Review client assessment, screening, and symptom-checklist results, and support clients in completing symptom checklists when needed.
• Work open access as assigned.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with clients who are not engaged in care or regularly miss appointments.
• Participate in team meetings and huddles and help identify client strengths and needs.
• Support clients transitioning to another level of care.
• Maintain awareness of community resources and help maximize available MFS and community services.
• Prioritize activities with the supervisor to support client service delivery and meet performance expectations.
• Recognize when to seek help to maintain a personal wellness plan.
• Expand knowledge and skills and apply techniques learned.
• Provide consultation to agency staff and the community, including training, seminars, and special projects, as requested.
• May participate in agency-wide or community committees and work groups with supervisor and agency leadership approval.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• MFS HSA contributions of $2,000 for individual coverage and $4,000 for family coverage, prorated to the benefits start date.
• Free Teladoc general medicine and behavioral health services for team members.
• Ascensus 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on the first day of eligibility.
• $2,500 sign-on bonus for first-time MFS employees, paid in two installments.

What This Job Offers

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