Recovery Support Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services • Palos Hills, IL

5d • $43,000 - $48,000

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree or Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) attained within six (6) months of hire preferred.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or experience working with clients experiencing substance use preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $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
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees