CCBHC Veterans Recovery Support Specialist

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! 

We are currently looking to fill a Veterans Recovery Support Specialist role at our Merrionette Park office.

SALARY:  The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $43,000 and $48,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. 

$2,500 Sign-on Bonus for first-time employees with MFS! ($1,250 on the first paycheck and $1,250 after 6 months of employment).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Peer Mentoring & Engagement: Build trusting, mutual relationships with veteran clients through appropriate self-disclosure of your own recovery journey. 
• System Navigation: Assist veterans in accessing services within the CCBHC and externally through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veteran service organizations, and community courts. 
• Recovery Planning: Help veterans develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and identify personal strengths to drive their treatment. 
• Advocacy: Serve as a bridge between the veteran and the clinical team, ensuring the veteran's choices define their care process. 
• Community Outreach: Partner with local veteran groups to educate the community on CCBHC services and facilitate "warm hand-offs" into care. 
• Crisis Support: Utilize de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care to support veterans during mental health crises or transitions from inpatient care. 
• Documentation: Maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant records of peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. 
• Provides information to clients and family members on mental illness, substance use, recovery and wellness, treatment options, and resources. 
• Assists CCBHC 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, substance use 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, substance use/abuse, physical health, case management and other 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 checklists and screens. 
• 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. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: 

• Peer/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. 
• Peer/RSS must have access to and is comfortable utilizing public transportation OR a valid driver’s license, access to a fully insured motor vehicle, proof of insurance and meet MFS driving record criteria. 
• Peer/RSS must pass a State of Illinois background check, as required by MFS policy. 
• 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. 

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Military Veteran Status: Required for this veteran-specific role. 
• Personal experience with mental health or substance use recovery and a willingness to share this experience professionally. 
• High school diploma or GED equivalent, required. 
• Must hold or be willing to obtain Illinois Certified Veteran Support Specialist (CVSS) or CRSS certification within 6 months of hire, required
• Understanding of military culture and the unique challenges faced by veterans, including PTSD and moral injury. 
• Minimum age of 21, valid Illinois driver’s license, and reliable transportation for community-based work. C
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or experience working with clients experiencing substance use, preferred.
• Training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), preferred 
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and motivational interviewing.   

METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES VALUES AND EXPECTED BEHAVIORS: 

• Client Centered/Mission Driven 
• Adaptable 
• Goal Oriented/Solution Focused 
• Self-Reflective and Receptive to Feedback 
• Collaborative 
• Positive Demeanor  
• Trustworthy/Accountable 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here! 

Some highlights include: 

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and 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.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered! 

• Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.

MORE ABOUT US: 

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.