Peer Recovery Counselor (ACT Sycamore)

Office Location: 8541 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619

About the Role

The Recovery Counselor - Peer 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 treatment and support to clients to assist them in their recovery from mental illness. The role involves advocating for clients, linking them to community services, and delivering client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to individuals with severe mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use/addiction disorders using a harm reduction approach. The Recovery Counselor - Peer will provide at least 75% of all community support services in the community, complete case management tasks within a shared caseload, and provide crisis/on-call coverage as directed.

Responsibilities

• Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits.
• Coordinate the establishment of an individual recovery plan with the client, client’s support system, and other care providers.
• Model for clients good communication skills, recovery-oriented living skills, effective coping skills, and self-help strategies.
• Actively participate in Peer Support meetings and activities to gain additional support in position.
• Recognize individual signs of burnout/feeling overwhelmed and know how to get and provide support.
• Complete daily progress notes based on services provided to clients in a timely manner reflected in Trilogy’s documentation policy and agency standards.
• Complete all necessary documentation related to client care (e.g., IMCANS, LOCUS, tracking forms) in the Electronic Medical Record.
• 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 de-compensation, assess for crisis situations, and determine the need for stabilization through hospitalization.
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced.
• Provide psychoeducation, medication training, and monitoring to clients according to Trilogy policy.
• Coordinate with team nurse/pharmacy to ensure client medication accuracy.
• Document in real time on the medication administration record (MAR).
• Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills (e.g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, nutrition, shopping for food and personal items).
• Educate and assist clients with applying for entitlements (e.g., Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and LINK).
• Understand the representative payeeship process per agency policy and provide individualized client money management services.
• 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 the client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate for themselves when appropriate.
• Communicate effectively within the team model for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.
• Actively participate in team communication via multiple electronic platforms.
• Engage regularly in daily team meetings to consult and collaborate on shared caseload.
• Provide on-call and crisis coverage as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field.
  • Bachelor's degree in any other field with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.
  • Licensed Practical Nurse under the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65].
  • Certificate of Psychiatric Rehabilitation from a DHS-approved program, a high school diploma/GED, and two years’ experience in a mental health setting.
  • CRSS certification through IAODAPCA.
  • Family Partnership Professional certificate from and in good standing with IAODAPCA.
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant licensed under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act [225 ILCS 75] with one-year experience in a mental health setting.
  • High school diploma or GED and five years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.
• Must be a past or present consumer of mental health services and willing to share their personal story of recovery with clients.
• Must acquire a CRSS credential within 12 months of hire.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance.
• Experience working with people with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses preferred.
• Experience in community-based services preferred.
• IM+CANS certification preferred and may be required to obtain IM+CANS certification within 30 days of hire.

Pay

Pay Range: $22.89 - $26.32/hr with a $1,500 sign-on bonus.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

Benefits

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for all employees.
• Paid Maternity/Paternity leave.
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL).
• Dental Insurance.
• Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability.
• Pet Insurance.
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit).
• Telemedicine.
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match.