THE LINK & OPTION CENTER, INC.

Job Description

PROGRAM: Quiet Storm Crisis Triage Living Room

POSITION TITLE: Recovery Support Specialist

DEGREE: High School Diploma

REPORTS TO: Project Director

JOB TYPE: Part-time (6-hour shifts, weekends and holidays)

Quiet Storm Crisis Triage Living Room is a crisis respite center in the Hazel Crest community offering free and confidential services for anyone going through a mental health crisis. We aim to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests and provide a safe, home-like environment.

We are looking for Recovery Support Specialists, part-time, 6-hour shifts, weekends and holidays, providing respite support, and de-escalation of behavior for Guests.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Recovery Support Specialist must meet the following qualifications:

• Have lived experience with mental illness, or knowledge of, and utilize this in order to connect and empathize with Guests. You do not need to have a college degree, or a degree in a psychology/social work-related field for the position.
• High School Diploma or GED and 2,000 hours (one year) paid/supervised work experience.
• Personal lived experience with mental health illness and having been in recovery for at least one year.
• Current certification as a Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) preferred, or the ability to become certified as a CRSS within one year of employment.
• Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Availability to work weekends.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) will provide peer support services to Guests in The Living Program with serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disorders. The RSS will assist Guests in de-escalating crisis situations using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.

The RSS will function as a role model to peers by exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills. The RSS will coordinate a variety of activities and tasks aimed at assisting Guests in regaining control of their lives and recovery process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Creating a welcoming, accepting, and calm environment in The Living Room.
• Assisting Guests in de-escalating crisis situations using a trauma-informed, client- centered approach.
• Educating, modeling, encouraging and supporting Guests on managing crisis using a variety of tools, including but not limited to personal recovery stories, coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Utilize and teach problem-solving techniques with Guests as well as how to identify and combat negative self-talk and fears.
• Assisting Guests in articulating personal goals for recovery. Assist Guests in developing a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) based on the Guest’s individual wellness and recovery goals.
• Promoting the Guest’s self-advocacy skills. Assisting Guests in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Receive mandatory initial Living Room Program training by:

• Completing a two-hour DMH video-based training upon hire.
• Complete 16 hours of CRSS/CPRS Competency Training.
• All staff are expected to become Certified Recovery Specialists (CRSS) within 1 year of being hired.

SALARY: $23,087.00 (annually)

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Pay: $23,087.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Schedule:

• Holidays
• Weekends only

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Hazel Crest, IL 60429: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person