Peer Recovery Specialist I - Joliet, IL
About The Position
Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards. This role focuses on providing recovery-oriented support services to patients with substance use disorders, leveraging experience and training to foster hope, purpose, and empowerment in patients actively engaged in their recovery journey. The Peer Recovery Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of individualized recovery support plans and participates in treatment team meetings and individual patient planning meetings.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- 1 year of mental health and/or substance use knowledge and experience.
- Ability to participate and complete required supervised work experience and obtain a certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist within 1 year of hire.
- Demonstrated ability to leverage recovery experience to engage patients during their recovery journey.
- Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills to assess individual needs and develop individual support plans.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Familiarity with recovery principles, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction approaches.
- Ability to learn and become proficient in using electronic health records to maintain enter and maintain treatment documentation.
Responsibilities
- Maintains a caseload as determined during the admissions process for patients participating in residential and outpatient treatment services.
- Conducts assessments to identify the need for support services and works collaboratively with patients to develop individualized recovery support plans that emphasize purpose, mindfulness, and personal goals.
- Provides a minimum of 20–25 hours each week of direct individualized in-person, telephonic or virtual peer support services.
- Maintains accurate and timely documentation of recovery plans, interventions, resources and progress notes in the electronic health record in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Participates in ongoing recovery support services by identifying community resources and connecting patients with the appropriate services to further support their recovery journey.
- Assists with the coordination of transportation to supported services in the community as identified in recovery plan.
- Identifies relapse prevention strategies to support patients in managing and coping with triggers and high-risk situations and assists patients in building and sustaining a recovery-oriented social network to engage in healthy, meaningful activities.
- Participates in interdisciplinary case staffing meetings to discuss care coordination and ensure peer informed care.
- Contributes expertise in regular peer recovery team meetings to evaluate program effectiveness and individual patient progress.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
- Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
- Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
- Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
- 9 paid company holidays
- Work-life-balance
- Training & Development Programs
- Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
- eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
- Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
