Recovery Counselor (ACT Willow)

Trilogy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 31,533 - 36,258; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free virtual primary care

Paid maternity/paternity leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

403(b) retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

Trilogy in Chicago seeks a Recovery Counselor to assess and support clients with severe mental illnesses and substance abuse issues. This critical role involves coordinating care, engaging clients through outreach, and advocating for their needs across various settings.

Candidates should possess a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, hold a valid Illinois driver’s license, and be prepared to work a flexible schedule from Wednesday to Sunday. Competitive benefits include free healthcare services and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a mental health setting.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with vehicle access.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health/substance abuse challenges.

Responsibilities

• Assess client’s needs and coordinate care effectively.
• Engage and support clients through outreach.
• Implement strategies to assist clients in treatment linkage.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Crisis management

Client advocacy

Community outreach

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Licensed Practical Nurse certification

CRSS certification

Job description

Compensation and Schedule

$1,500 Sign-on Bonus!

Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hourly Pay: $22.89 - $26.32/Hr.

Location: Rogers Park

This role requires a car.

The Recovery Counselor will assess each client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation to plan a treatment course through home, community, and office visits. They will work with clients who may have higher risk factors that create a barrier to more traditional outreach services. The Recovery Counselor will be an advocate for clients and link them to community services as needed, providing client‑centered, strengths‑based, and trauma‑informed services to clients with severe mental illnesses and co‑occurring substance abuse/addiction disorders, utilizing a harm‑reduction approach. The Counselor will provide at least 60‑75% of all community support services, engage clients not already linked to services, build relationships to increase receptivity, focus on those involved in the criminal justice system and experiencing street homelessness, complete case management tasks, assist with accessing entitlements, and provide crisis/on‑call coverage as directed.

Responsibilities

• Independently assess risk and client’s need for higher level of care (e.g., hospital, detox program, emergency room).
• Determine associated risk and coordinate support from colleagues/supervisors, including two‑person visits as needed.
• Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits.
• Implement assertive engagement strategies to bring potential clients into services and assist with linkage to needed treatment.
• Participate in initial engagement with clients through street, shelter, jail, and community outreach throughout the city of Chicago.
• Complete intake process for clients from referral sources such as the Illinois Department of Corrections, shelters, and hospitals, and handle client intake paperwork (e.g., application for services, consent for treatment).
• Conduct mental health assessments to determine service needs, appropriateness of service, and level of care; document all client encounters in tracking systems.
• Ensure completion of authorization for services and communicate with managed care organizations to retrieve authorizations.
• Coordinate the establishment of an individual recovery plan with the client, client’s support system, and other care providers.
• 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 and develop coping skills to manage symptoms and stressors.
• Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills (e.g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, nutrition, shopping).
• Educate and assist clients with applying for entitlements (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP).
• Accompany clients to important appointments and provide support related to housing, substance use, budgeting, social support, and medication.
• Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to self‑advocate, focusing on understanding the criminal justice system and citywide housing opportunities.
• Communicate effectively with community partners involved in client’s care and within the team model for a multi‑disciplinary approach.
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following:
  • Bachelor’s degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or a 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 with five years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well‑maintained vehicle and $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 certification within 30 days of hire.

Benefits

• Free virtual primary care, urgent care, and mental health counseling for all employees.
• Paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Medical insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL).
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long‑term and short‑term disability.
• Pet insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts (health, dependent care, transit).
• Telemedicine.
• Employee assistance program.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.