North Central Behavioral Health-Peer Support Specialist (Grundy, LaSalle, Fulton, Henry, McDonough, Whiteside counties)

About the position The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCR-T), partnering with a Crisis Counselor to provide rapid, community-based behavioral health and substance use crisis support. Drawing upon lived experience and recovery principles, the Peer Support Specialist provides trauma-informed peer support, engagement, advocacy, resource linkage, and follow-up services to individuals and families experiencing behavioral health crises.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Peer Support Specialist on a Mobile Crisis Response Team alongside a Crisis Counselor.
• Provide community-based crisis support in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings.
• Utilize lived experience and recovery principles to establish rapport and engage individuals in crisis.
• Provide trauma-informed peer support during and following crisis events.
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, coping skills, supports, and recovery resources.
• Support clients in understanding and verbalizing triggers, warning signs, and strategies to prevent future crises.
• Assist with de-escalation efforts for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms.
• Promote hope, empowerment, and self-advocacy throughout the recovery process.
• Maintain engagement with individuals following crisis events to support stabilization and linkage to services.
• Assist individuals in accessing behavioral health treatment, substance use services, housing resources, medical care, transportation, benefits, and other community supports.
• Participate in reputed company and engagement efforts designed to increase access to crisis and behavioral health services.
• Work collaboratively with clients, families, support systems, agency staff, and community providers to identify appropriate next steps following a crisis event.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and care coordination activities.
• Maintain records in accordance with agency, state, federal, and payer requirements.
• reputed company other reputed company duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Personal lived experience with behavioral health and/or substance use recovery.
• Ability to utilize lived experience in a professional and recovery-oriented manner.
• Ability to establish positive and supportive relationships with individuals experiencing crisis.
• Must obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification reputed company two (2) years of hire.
• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Ability to travel throughout the designated service area.
• Ability to work flexible schedules as needed.
• Successful completion of required background checks and agency screening requirements.

reputed company-to-haves

• Previous experience providing peer support services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges.
• Knowledge of community resources and behavioral health systems.
• Experience working with diverse populations and community partners.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Shift differential opportunities.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Opportunity to utilize lived experience to positively impact individuals, families, and communities experiencing behavioral health crises.

Apply tot his job Apply To this Job