Recovery Support Specialist, BH Urgent Care

Heritage Behavioral Health Center; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 37,440 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CRSS pathway

Shift differential

Career progression

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is seeking a compassionate Recovery Support Specialist to join the Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation team in Decatur, IL. This role focuses on creating a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment for individuals in crisis, using lived experience to engage and support stabilization.

The RSS collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure person-centered care, seamless transitions to ongoing services, and adherence to trauma-informed

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CRSS or CPRS certification, or eligibility within 12 months of hire.
• Lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery to support peer work.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary staff in peer-managed crisis observation milieu.
• Build trusting relationships through authentic peer engagement and recovery support.
• Provide recovery coaching, encouragement, and hope using lived experience appropriately.
• Orient new clients to services and welcome them to Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation.
• Facilitate engagement activities promoting wellness, recovery, and connection.
• Monitor milieu and safety, maintaining a therapeutic environment.
• Report changes in client presentation to the clinical team.
• Coordinate warm hand-offs to internal/external providers for continuity of care.
• Assist with transportation and linkage to community resources for discharge planning.
• Support clients in identifying recovery goals and supports.
• Document services accurately within timeframes.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model recovery principles.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CRSS/ CPRS certification

Job description

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.

Heritage Behavioral Health Center - Decatur, Illinois