Provides community-based recovery support services for mentally ill clients in the Community Support Services Unit.  Ensures continuity of care for high-risk persons suffering from mental illness through direct clinical intervention, 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 the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required, in social services field, or meets the “Mental Health Professional” designation as determined by the Department of Human Services. Related experience preferred. 

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Must have valid IL Driver’s License, clean driving record, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.
• Must have or obtain CPR, First Aid, and Personal Safety certifications within 45 days from date of hire.
• Must have or obtain IM+CANS certification within 30 days of hire.

1. Direct Clinical Services

• Participate in rotating on-call schedule for crisis intervention during daytime hours.

• Provide 25 hours of billable service per week to individuals within the Case Management program.

• Establish initial data including clients presenting problems, mental status, relevant psychiatric, medical and developmental histories to make decisions regarding diagnosis (per DSM-V), treatment objectives and ongoing treatment plans and/or to provide information and make appropriate referrals to other treatment sources in the community.

• Implement crisis or pre-crisis intervention procedures with potentially suicidal, homicidal, or severely disabled clients. Make appropriate referrals to consulting psychiatrists or inpatient psychiatric facilities 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).

• Complete concurrent documentation at time of service with clients.

1. Client Information System

• Establish appropriate professional files, including: intake evaluations, progress notes, treatment objectives and plans, previous treatment records, clients' consent to current treatment and for exchange of information.

• Complete required administrative forms (such as: case opening/closing, transfer, Expense Vouchers, etc.).  Collect necessary information for billing and fee collection.

• Provide necessary client information to other agencies or health care providers to coordinate services to identified clients.

1. 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.

1. 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.

• Schedule to attend psychiatric consultation meetings, including treatment plan review meetings.

• Share relevant client data with other parties sharing responsibility for treatment (e.g. supervisor, treating physician, and involved collaterals).

1. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.

• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.

• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.

• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.

1. Job Relationships

• Communicate directly to the Director, Case Management Services for clinical supervision, crisis intervention, clarification of program procedures and policies.

• Adhere to MHS/MBH Behavioral Standards.

1. Other Job Responsibilities

• Participate in after-hours emergency services as indicated.

• Ability to accommodate evening and weekend hours when requested.

• 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.