Peer Support Specialist (CDPH)

Description

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist (PSS)

Department: Mental Health

Reports to: Mental Health Supervisor

Job Type: Full Time, Salary, Non-Exempt 

Job Location: Chicagoland area

Salary Range: $38,000 – $48,000

Rincon - Building Spaces, Restoring Communities - Who we are:

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

The Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is a member of Rincon Family Services' multidisciplinary behavioral health team and plays an essential role in supporting individuals on their recovery journey through peer support, outreach, engagement, and community-based services. The RSS utilizes lived experience, when appropriate, to foster hope, resilience, and self-determination while promoting recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed care.

Working under the City of Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Mental Health Expansion Initiative, the Recovery Support Specialist engages individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges by reducing barriers to care, increasing access to community resources, and encouraging meaningful participation in treatment and recovery services. The RSS collaborates closely with Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), therapists, case managers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to improve participant engagement, continuity of care, and overall wellness.

Services are provided in agency offices and throughout the community while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, cultural humility, confidentiality, and ethical practice.

Company Culture - Do Our Values Speak to You?

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication- Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care.
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing: 

Service Delivery

• Establish trusting, respectful, and supportive relationships with participants through recovery-oriented peer support. 
• Utilize lived experience, when appropriate and within professional boundaries, to promote hope, resilience, and recovery. 
• Support participants in identifying personal strengths, wellness goals, and recovery objectives. 
• Encourage self-advocacy, self-determination, and participant empowerment throughout the recovery process. 
• Reinforce recovery plans and treatment goals established in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team. 
• Promote healthy coping strategies, resilience, and independent living skills. 
• Encourage participant engagement and retention in behavioral health services and recovery activities. 
• Provide emotional support and encouragement while respecting each participant's unique recovery journey.
• Care Coordination and Resource Linkage
• Connect participants to behavioral health, primary care, housing, employment, education, transportation, financial assistance, food resources, and other community-based services. 
• Assist participants in navigating healthcare systems and community resources. 
• Collaborate with internal and external providers to promote continuity of care and improve participant outcomes. 
• Encourage follow-through with referrals, appointments, and recommended services. 
• Support participants in addressing social determinants of health that may impact recovery and overall well-being. 
• Advocate for participant access to culturally responsive and equitable services.

Community Engagement

• Conduct outreach activities to increase awareness of behavioral health services within the community. 
• Participate in community outreach events, educational workshops, health fairs, and other engagement activities. 
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and social service agencies. 
• Assist individuals in overcoming barriers to behavioral health treatment and community services. 
• Promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma through education and community engagement. 
• Support participant recruitment, outreach, and engagement efforts consistent with grant objectives. 
• Foster relationships that improve access to behavioral health services among underserved populations. 

Supervision and Oversight

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case consultations. 
• Collaborate effectively with therapists, Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), case managers, supervisors, and community partners. 
• Communicate participant progress, barriers, and resource needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. 
• Participate in regularly scheduled supervision and performance meetings. 
• Maintain positive working relationships that promote integrated, participant-centered care.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, and thorough documentation in the agency's electronic health record in accordance with agency standards. 
• Ensure documentation complies with agency policies, funding requirements, accreditation standards, and applicable federal and state regulations. 
• Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 (when applicable), and agency privacy policies. 
• Participate in grant reporting, quality improvement initiatives, audits, and program evaluation activities. 
• Report concerns related to participant safety, confidentiality, or compliance in accordance with agency policy. 
• Maintain accurate records that support grant performance measures and program outcomes. Maintain client records that meet documentation standards of the funder, agency and all regulatory standards.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to Corporate Compliance policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EHR access. This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of Corporate Compliance or outside provider's health records to the Corporate Compliance Legal and Quality departments, as well as to the program administrator.

Professional Development

• Complete all funder, agency and other regulatory body required trainings, including topics like state administrative rules, sexual harassment, fraud waste and abuse, mandated reporter, clinical courses, diagnosis and other requirements.
• Complete all training required to keep any licenses or certifications relevant to your position and/or any grant.
• All other duties as assigned.

Rincon Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Health insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits

Rincon’s Work Environment – What to expect:

Physical Demands: The PSS must be able to travel. This work is primarily in the community, either in responding to hospital discharges or in outreach and engagement activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are responsible for informing supervisor of any invisible disability or medical restriction that limits physical capability.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There may be occasions that call for an employee to carry out duties at other agency offices or within the community. Staff must demonstrate flexibility and independence in coordinating travel arrangements, including the use of public transit, rideshare services, or other accommodations to ensure timely and effective mobility.

Schedule:

• This position is scheduled to be available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

Language:

• Fluency in Spanish, bicultural applicants strongly preferred.

Requirements

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Good listening, communication, and case management skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make all clients and support structures feel safe and respected.
• Understand of the basic behavioral health needs common to the community areas being served, including co-occurring disorders, and how to serve their recovery.
• Understand internal and external community, medical and supportive services within the community.
• Ability to adapt, connect and collaborate across differences.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork, efficiently and effectively.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Willingness to work with individuals with co-occurring disorder (MH/SUD)
• Must pass pre-employment background checks. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Full time use of a properly licensed and insured automobile with a valid driver’s license and ability to drive, or independence in travel arrangements.
• Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.