Peer Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is a leading not-for-profit organization providing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference.

LSSI is hiring a full time Peer Specialist, Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team on the Northwest side of Chicago. ACT Services consist of integrated crisis, treatment and rehabilitative supports provided by an interdisciplinary team to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. ACT Services are intended to promote symptom stability, management of co-morbid health conditions, and appropriate use of psychotropic medications, as well as to restore personal care, community living, work and social skills. ACT Services encompass counseling and therapy, medication management and monitoring, skill building, and crisis stabilization services. ACT Services focus on the restoration of functional skills (e.g., psychosocial, adaptive, self-care) to promote and maintain community living.

The Peer Specialist is a team member with lived experience who utilizes services to validate the client’s experiences and to guide and encourage them to take responsibility for and actively participate in their own recovery. In addition, services to help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination against mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders and develop strategies to reduce self-imposed stigma. The Peer Specialist provides peer coaching and support and provides referrals to self-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery.

Benefits and Perks:

LSSI is growing! Come be a part of this rewarding environment, and enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping make a positive difference in the lives of others, as well as these career advantages:

• On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
• Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience, and licensure.
• Salary $55,000-$60,000/Annually.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for Full-Time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
• The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!
  
  

Essential Functions:

• Participate in required daily staff meetings, supervisions and needed trainings to continue education and expand knowledge to improve the quality of patient services.
• Carry a caseload of clients providing concrete services as assigned by the Team Lead and collaborate with other internal and external programs and treatment providers in order to provide these services.
• Provide individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching and support, including offering encouragement in times of crisis and stress to eliminate potential barriers to ongoing recovery.
• Provide training in the use of personal and community resources, assist in developing formal and informal community supports, and assist clients in increasing social support networks of relatives, friends and/or significant others.
• Advocate on behalf of clients, including protecting the clients' rights and assisting in reducing associated stigma.
• Provide high quality care coordination for LSSI’s clients and ensure increased engagement and access to the care they want and need using a person-centered, family-centered, recovery-oriented approach.
• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely manner and meets Rule 140/132 and/or MCO requirements. This includes crisis plan assessments and intake documentation.
• Comply with documentation and productivity standards.
  
  

Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED
• Lived recovery experience with homelessness, serious mental illness, and/or a substance use disorder.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Active reflective listening: ability to engage, motivate and de-escalate.
• Excellent communication, organization, presentation and PC/computer skills (including proficiency with Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with and respect differences of opinion, beliefs, culture, appearances a ways of life.
• Ability to establish trusting, hopeful relationships with clients and their families.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• Driving is required.
• Access to reliable transportation is required.
• Valid Driver’s License in good standing for the state of residency and insurance.
• Valid Illinois statutory and liability insurance coverage is required.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.