On-Call Recovery Support Specialist

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

On-call shifts are 8:00 PM-8:30 AM

Will need to work 8 shifts per month, including some weekends and holidays.

*Benefits not offered with this position.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) are community-based services that dispatch mental health professionals to safely de-escalate behavioral health crises on-site. They provide immediate evaluations, safety planning, and crisis stabilization as a trauma-informed alternative to law enforcement or emergency room visits.

The Recovery Support Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Recovery Support Specialist uses personal and training experience to create a safe space for consumers to calmly process crisis events, learn and apply wellness strategies, and prevent future crisis events. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the recovery support specialist operates from the Crisis Now concept and focuses on practices including recovery orientation, trauma-informed care, and a philosophy that crises are an opportunity for learning. All services are offered within an inviting, home-like, atmosphere and are designed to proactively divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalizations. 

Responsibilities:

• Serve as an individual advocate for consumers.
• Utilize personal recovery experiences to provide peer support for consumers.
• Provide recovery information and activities to all consumers; information, resources, and connection to natural supports; and must follow principles of trauma-informed care.
• Assess and evaluate consumers’ needs, strengths, goals, and resources.
• Utilize QMHP/LPHA when guest presents with acute crisis for appropriate triage/screening and treatment as indicated.
• Transport consumers to and from home, appointments, meetings, and/or school.
• Advocate within systems to promote person-centered recovery support services. Work with an interdisciplinary team in reviewing cases and developing individual plans.
• Implement individual service plans through rehabilitation services such as case management, advocacy, outreach, skills training groups (i.e. WRAP), social rehabilitation, and community support as indicated.
• Provide linkage case management, and participate in treatment planning and discharge planning.
• Consult with other center staff regarding assessment and treatment/intervention planning.
• Consult with other service agencies around case-specific and programmatic issues.
• Refer and link consumers to other human service programs as indicated.
• Serve as a liaison to other community agencies as needed.
• Build relationships with local police, fire, emergency departments, and other organizations to promote awareness of Living Room services.
• Provide on-site Living Room support and introduction to services at NM KCH and VW to patients within the hospital setting (e.g. Emergency Department, Medical Floors, etc.).
• Train other providers and non-providers in areas related to service specialties.
• Document service provision as required by NM Ben Gordon Center.
• Maintain clinical and management records in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Maintain 100% UM/UR compliance.
• Maintain 100% documentation submission within 24 hours.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Immediately report suspicions of abuse or neglect.
• Communicate personal issues that impact your ability to perform your job duties.
• Participation in DHS/DMH Recovery & Empowerment Statewide Calls and other training as assigned.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Windows and Office programs.
• Good judgment.

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Personal experience as a client, parent, guardian or caregiver of behavioral health services. Recovery Support Specialists are individuals who are in recovery or have life experience from any life altering event or disruption. Their life experiences allow them to provide recovery support in such a way that others can benefit from their experiences.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Proof of auto insurance
• Annual Driving Abstract
• Upon two years of hire, obtain your CRSS and ability to facilitate WRAP classes.

Preferred:

• Higher degree in Behavioral Healthcare
• Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health related field
• 1-year experience of working with individuals suffering from severe and persistent mental illness.
• Experience with Medicaid Rule 132/140
• Knowledge and understanding of SUPR 2060
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning classes (WRAP)

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.