Recovery Support Specialist - PT (Sat & Sun- 3 pm to 11 pm)

The Link and Option Center, Inc.•South Holland, IL

4d•$0 - $22

About The Position

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) provides peer support to Guests at The Crisis Stabilization Center who have serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disorders. The RSS helps Guests de-escalate crisis situations using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach and serves as a role model by demonstrating personal recovery and coping skills. The role coordinates activities and tasks that help Guests regain control of their lives and participate in their recovery process. The Crisis Stabilization Center is a free, confidential crisis respite program in Hazel Crest that aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests by providing a safe, home-like environment. The position also includes dispatch duties for Mobile Crisis services, coordinating incoming crisis requests and supporting crisis response teams. The scheduled part-time shifts are Saturdays and Sundays, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The program operates 24/7/365. The role requires lived experience with mental illness and at least one year in recovery. A college degree is not required. Staff must complete required Crisis Stabilization Center training and are expected to become Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) within one year of hire.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
2,000 hours (one year) of paid or supervised work experience.
Personal lived experience with mental illness and at least one year in recovery.
Knowledge of the recovery process and ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and ability to help Guests address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
Valid driver’s license and insurance.
Complete mandatory initial Crisis Stabilization Center training, including a two-hour DMH video-based training and 16 hours of CRSS/CPRS Competency Training.
Become certified as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Current certification as a Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Create a welcoming, accepting, and calm environment at The Crisis Triage Stabilization Center.
Assist Guests in de-escalating crisis situations using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.
Educate, model, encourage, and support Guests in crisis management using personal recovery stories, coping techniques, and self-help strategies.
Use and teach problem-solving techniques and help Guests identify and combat negative self-talk and fears.
Assist Guests in articulating recovery goals and developing an individualized Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
Promote Guests’ self-advocacy, empowerment, and efforts to combat stigma.
Transport Guests to locations within Chicagoland.
Receive, triage, prioritize, and coordinate behavioral health crisis service requests from 988, community partners, law enforcement, hospitals, and other referral sources.
Use dispatch protocols to assess urgency and coordinate timely deployment of Mobile Crisis Response Teams.
Maintain real-time awareness of crisis responder locations, availability, response status, and geographic coverage.
Communicate relevant safety concerns, behavioral health history, risk factors, medical considerations, and updates to responding clinicians.
Monitor active crisis responses through case completion and provide ongoing communication and operational support to field staff.
Accurately document dispatch activity in the electronic health record and other required systems while maintaining HIPAA confidentiality.
Collaborate with 988, emergency departments, law enforcement, EMS, and community providers to support coordinated, person-centered crisis care.
Escalate high-risk situations and operational concerns to the Mobile Crisis Response Coordinator or designated clinical leadership.
Monitor response times and assist the team in meeting state, CCBHC, and organizational performance standards.
Remain professional, calm, organized, and effective while managing multiple high-priority crises.
Participate in shift handoffs to support continuity of care and awareness of ongoing crisis responses.