Recovery Specialist

Job Title

Ensures continuity of care, consistent engagement, and provides recovery support services for complex, high-risk persons experiencing symptoms of a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. Provides direct clinical intervention, behavioral health outreach, education, monitoring, and advocacy functions. Recovery Specialist must complete paperwork per agency policies and requirements of funding source. Employee will adhere to the Memorial Health System (MHS) Code of Conduct, the MHS Ethics and Corporate Compliance Plan, MBH policies and procedures, as well as performance standards established by the governing board/administration and accrediting bodies. Embodies and supports the Memorial Health mission, vision and values.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree required, in social services field, or meets the "Mental Health Professional" designation as determined by the Department of Human Services.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

Must possess a valid Illinois driver's license and be deemed acceptable driver in accordance with MHS Fleet Safety Policy (five year MVR will be required).

Must have or obtain CPR, First Aid, within 45 days from date of hire.

Must have or obtain IM+CANS certification within 30 days of hire.

Experience:

Social Service experience preferred.

Experience working with diverse populations and individuals with serious mental illness preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Must have keyboarding and computer skills as required by position.

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Services:

• Complete weekly direct-service time expectations as designated by the individual program.
• Establish initial data including clients presenting problems, mental status, relevant psychiatric, medical and developmental histories to make decisions regarding diagnosis (per DSM-V), and/or to provide information and make appropriate referrals to other treatment sources in the community.
• Work both independently and with multiple teams to manage client engagement and develop a care plan for the client in partnership with behavioral health professionals.
• Manages a client caseload of high-risk/high utilizer behavioral health clients, maintaining responsibility for ongoing engagement.
• Maintain responsibility for assessing the client's barriers and adjusting the care plan accordingly to ensure continued engagement.
• Responsible for coordinating care across the continuum for the assigned caseload, including engaging client's additional professional supports as part of the care team.
• Implement crisis or pre-crisis intervention procedures with potentially suicidal, homicidal, or severely disabled clients. Make appropriate referrals to prevent further destabilization.
• Refer to, and work closely with, appropriate community resources to assure client linkage to appropriate coordination resources and delivery of appropriate services. Provide practical assistance to clients to improve their ability to cope within the community within the least restrictive setting possible (e.g. assistance with transportation, budgeting, locating housing, and/or identifying vocational training opportunities).
• Responsible for working across multiple sites of care as needed.

Client Information System:

• Establish appropriate professional files, such as assessments, progress notes, recovery plans, previous treatment records, clients' consent to current treatment and for exchange of information.
• Complete required administrative forms and documentation.
• Provide necessary client information to other agencies or health care providers to coordinate services to identified clients.
• Complete concurrent documentation at time of service with clients.

Training Activities/Professional Growth:

• Supervisor and employee mutually identify professional goals to enhance job skills.
• Participate in ongoing agency meetings, committees, and special projects to enhance professional expertise.
• Complete all mandatory education requirements by specified deadlines.
• Participate in required staff meetings and in-service meetings to keep abreast of agency policy and administrative procedures, meet requirements for continuing education, and upgrade professional knowledge.

Consultation/Networking:

• Engage in appropriate team work functions (such as mutual support, clarification of office responsibilities and procedures) according to best professional judgment and agency policy to provide a professional working environment and effective service delivery.
• Meet with supervisor to complete mandatory monthly clinical supervision as required by the IL Department of Human Services.
• Develop cooperative relationships outside the agency with family, physicians, public officials or interested agencies to provide for the development of mental health services in the community.
• Share relevant client data with other parties sharing responsibility for treatment (e.g. supervisor, treating physician, and involved collaterals).

Embodies the Memorial Health System Values of Safety, Integrity, Quality, and Stewardship that support our mission and vision:

• SAFETY: I put safety first. I speak up, without fear, on matters of patient and colleague safety. I take action to create an environment of zero harm.
• INTEGRITY: I respect others and show compassion. I behave honestly and ethically. I am accountable for our attitude, actions and health.
• QUALITY: I advance my knowledge and skills. I seek continuous improvement. I deliver evidence-based care that leads to excellence in outcomes.
• STEWARDSHIP: I use resources wisely and maintain financial stability. I work to coordinate care and services across the health system. I promote healthier communities.

Job Relationships:

• Communicate directly to with leader for clinical supervision, crisis intervention, clarification of program procedures and policies.
• Adhere to MHS/MBH Behavioral Standards.

Other Job Responsibilities:

• Ability to accommodate evening and weekend hours when requested or required by regular schedule.
• Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.