Recovery Support Specialist, BH Urgent Care

Recovery Support Specialist

Heritage Behavioral Health Center — Behavioral Health Urgent Care & Crisis Observation Decatur, IL | Full-Time

SALARY Recovery Support Specialist: $18.00/hour Certified Recovery Support Specialist: $23.00/hour Career pathway to Certified Recovery Support Specialist in one year! Shift differential: +$2.00/hour for 2nd and 3rd shift

SCHEDULE The Hub operates 24/7. This position includes rotating weekends, overnights, and holiday coverage.

1st Shift: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

2nd Shift: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM

3rd Shift: 11:00 PM – 8:00 AM

Position Summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is seeking a compassionate and recovery-oriented Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) to join our Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation team. This position plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and recovery-focused environment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Recovery Support Specialist serves as the primary staff member within our peer-managed observation, using lived experience and recovery principles to engage individuals, foster hope, promote self-determination, and support stabilization. This position works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to ensure individuals receive person-centered care and seamless transitions to ongoing services.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary staff member within the peer-managed crisis observation milieu.
• Build trusting relationships through authentic peer engagement and recovery-oriented support.
• Provide recovery coaching, encouragement, and hope by sharing lived experience appropriately.
• Welcome individuals entering Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation and assist with orientation to services.
• Facilitate meaningful engagement activities that promote wellness, recovery, and connection.
• Conduct routine milieu monitoring and safety checks while maintaining a therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.
• Observe and promptly communicate changes in an individual's presentation, behavior, or support needs to the clinical team.
• Coordinate warm hand-offs to internal and external providers to promote continuity of care.
• Assist with transportation coordination and community resource linkage to support successful discharge planning.
• Support individuals in identifying personal strengths, recovery goals, and community supports.
• Document services accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while modeling recovery principles and person-centered care.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), or eligible to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery that can be utilized in a professional peer support role.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during behavioral health crises.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to meet agency driving requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience working in crisis services, behavioral health, emergency services, peer support, or community mental health.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Commitment to recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed care.

Ability to engage individuals experiencing emotional distress with empathy and respect.

Excellent observation, communication, and de-escalation skills.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Basic computer proficiency and ability to utilize electronic health records.

Why Join Heritage?

At Heritage Behavioral Health Center, you'll become part of a team committed to transforming behavioral health care through compassion, innovation, and recovery. As a Recovery Support Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day by helping individuals navigate crisis, build hope, and connect with the supports they need to continue their recovery journey. If you are passionate about using your lived experience to empower others and believe recovery is possible for everyone, we encourage you to apply.