Recovery Support Specialist (8-hour shift) 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm (weekdays)

PROGRAM: Quiet Storm Crisis Triage Living Room

POSITION TITLE: Recovery Support Specialist

DEGREE: High School Diploma

REPORTS TO: Program Director

JOB TYPE: Full-time (8-hour shifts, 11pm - 7am) (weekdays)

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 on a full-time basis working 8-hour shifts (weekdays), providing respite support, and de-escalation of behavior for Guests.

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.

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 Guest to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.

· Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

· A valid driver’s license and insurance.

· Must have reliable transportation.

· Availability to work weekends and rotating holidays*.

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.

· Provide crisis intervention for all active Guests and first-time walk-in Guests.

· Complete crisis assessments in The Living Room using a Guest-centered and trauma informed approach along with motivational interviewing.

· Provide crisis services with a goal of prevention, intervention and immediate stabilization.

· Create safety plans as needed.

· Assist in determining a need for an emergency petition, additional psychiatric assessments or an involuntary commitment.

· Assess for appropriate referrals; internal and external.

· Respond to crisis calls in the service coverage area.

· Ensure all documentation is completed and entered in the database for record tracking.

· Complete follow-up calls and document.

· Maintain The Living Room’s cleanliness by cleaning up after Guests leave.

· Participate in a bi-weekly meeting with supervisor.

· Respond to all correspondence.

· Complete onboarding and monthly trainings.

· Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person