Metropolitan Family Services·Merrionette Park, Illinois
The Certified Recovery Support Specialist builds trusting relationships with clients to assist in their recovery journey and access necessary mental health and substance use services. They also facilitate wellness planning, provide community outreach, and maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant documentation within the electronic health record system.
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 Certified Recovery Support Specialist role at our Merrionette Park Office.
$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).
Build trusting, mutual relationships with clients through appropriate self-disclosure of your own recovery journey.
Assist clients in accessing services within the CCBHC and externally.
Recovery
Planning: Help clients develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and identify personal strengths to drive their treatment.
Provides information to clients and family members on mental illness, recovery and wellness, treatment options, and resources.
Serve as a bridge between the client and the clinical team, ensuring the client's choices define their care process.
Partner with local community-based organizations to educate the community on CCBHC services and facilitate "warm hand-offs" into care.
Utilize de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed support with clients during mental health crises.
Documentation: Maintain accurate, HIPAA-compliant records of peer interactions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
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 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. Co-facilitates groups as requested. Provides medication monitoring and/or training to clients.
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.
Works open access as assigned.
Conducts outreach and engagement for clients who may not be engaged in care or consistently miss appointments.
Participates in team meetings, and huddles.
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.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.
• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle . No travel between sites
Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here [https://www.metrofamily.org/careers/benefits/]!
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.
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.
Market context
In Illinois, CCBHC recovery support roles are often sought by community mental health and substance use programs serving people with complex needs. This position is competitive because it requires lived recovery experience, a high school diploma or GED, and CRSS or CPRS eligibility within 12 months, while offering medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save time, then confirm your credential timeline and prepare examples of peer support work.