The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) has lived experience with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health and substance use, and has been successful in the recovery process so they are able to help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, they will help clients become and stay engaged in the recovery process. They will assess the client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation to plan for treatment, through home, community, and office visits. They will provide individually based motivational mentoring and support to clients to assist them in their recovery from substance use and mental health issues. The Peer Recovery Support Specialist will be an advocate for clients and link them to community services and referrals for additional resources as needed. They will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with substance use/addiction disorders and co-occurring mental health issues utilizing a harm reduction approach.

Responsibilities

• Help engage clients in treatment, adhere to treatment plan goals, and connect them with recovery resources early in treatment.
• Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits.
• Develop hope for recovery, model good communication skills, recovery-oriented living skills, problem solving skills, effective coping skills, and self-help strategies
• Assist clients in developing and increasing their natural support networks & improve community integration.
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate substance use groups
• Actively participate in Peer Support meetings and activities to gain additional support in position.
• Aware of individual signs of burnout, feeling overwhelmed and knows how to get and provide support.
• Acquire a CRSS credential within 18 months of hire
• Complete daily progress notes based on services provided to clients in a timely manner, reflected in Trilogy’s documentation standards
• Complete all necessary documentation related to client care and requirements for CCBHC, SUPR, Medicaid, etc.
• Recognize and act on opportunities to move clients to appropriate levels of care; provide referrals to additional services as indicated.
• Assist clients in identifying signs and symptoms of relapse, de-compensation, assess for crisis situations and or the need for stabilization through hospitalization. Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced.
• Utilize motivational interviewing to engage and support clients in their substance use while recognizing stages of change.
• Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills; i.e. personal hygiene, housekeeping skills, nutrition, and shopping for food and personal items
• Accompany and transport clients to important appointments in the community and provide support with issues related to housing, substance use, budgeting, social support, and medication.
• Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate on behalf of themselves when appropriate
• Communicate and collaborate effectively within the team model for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.
• Actively participate in team communication via multiple electronic platforms and regularly engage in team meetings
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Any individual who is 21 years of age that has a GED or high school diploma and demonstrates all of the following:
• Skill in the delivery of rehabilitative services to adults
• The ability to work within a provider agency's structure and accept supervision; and
• The ability to work constructively with individuals receiving services, other providers of service, and the community; or an individual qualified as a Peer Support Worker
• CRSS certification through IAODAPCAwithin 18 months of hire
• Must be a past or present consumer of substance use or mental health services and willing to share their personal story of recovery with our clients.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $1, 000, 000/$3, 000, 000 liability insurance
• Experience working with people with mental health and/or substance use diagnoses preferred
• Experience in community-based services preferred