Join Our Great Team at NAMI

We at NAMI Metro Suburban believe that everyone should have access to mental health care to lead full and fulfilling lives. We know that with support, empathy, and understanding, recovery is possible.

Serving the west suburbs of Chicago, we are led by staff who have their own journey of mental illness– whether their own or that of a family member. We work to end mental health stigma, so people and families can get the help they need. With prevention and education for youth, no-cost alternatives to the ER for crisis, and ongoing social, emotional and employment support, NAMI Metro Suburban offers hope and healing to nearly 20,000 people every year.

Benefits at NAMI

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BCBS /Medical

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Humana - Vision

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UNUM - Life /AD&D and Short-term Disability

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Aetna - Dental

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Retirement Plan - SIMPLE IRA

Open Positions

Recovery Support Specialist - Full Time

The Living Room is a safe place where someone can talk with a peer if they are experiencing life’s emotional stresses. It is a zero barrier to care peer support program, offering care to anyone over the age of 18. The trained Recovery Support Specialists uses aspects of their personal experience to help guests find and maintain recovery. The Living Room provides peer support, resources, and referrals to those seeking support.

A Recovery Support Specialist may have shifts at any of the following locations- La Grange, Summit, Broadview Living Room, Drop in Center, and partnered hospitals. All shifts are staffed with at least one Recovery Support Specialist. These programs are open every day of the week, every day of the year from 12-8pm. Therefore evenings, weekends, and some holidays are required. Additionally, there may be required trainings or meetings outside of work hours.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other duties as assigned.

Effectively Deliver Services to Guests:

  • Approach guest interactions from a non-judgmental standpoint, utilizing aspects of the following evidence based models: strength based and person centered approach, trauma informed care, motivational interviewing.
  • Utilize the following recovery tools to assist guests in building a strong foundation in their recovery, while tracking progress and celebrating success: SMART Goals, Wellness Plan, Self Care Plan.
  • Collaborate with guests to create Safety Plans as needed.
  • Coordinate with other members of guests support team as needed.
  • Provide guests with resources and referrals to relevant services.
  • Acknowledges own lived experience and shares parts of recovery story as appropriate and relevant.
  • Models effective coping techniques, boundaries, and self care strategies.

Administrative Duties:

  • Utilizes Apricot database to enter guest profiles, recovery tools, and case notes within 24 hours.
  • Completes follow up calls to first time guests within 24 hours.
  • Writes Care Cards to guests monthly.
  • Composes and sends end of night email daily.
  • Completes applicable trainings, approved by supervisor, to enhance knowledge and skills.

Actively Engage with Team:

  • Participate in daily end of night calls with team members.
  • Communicate and collaborate with team members during shift.
  • Assist Clinician in hospitalizing guess when needed.
  • Participate in bi-weekly supervision with Living Room Manager
  • Effectively communicate with Living Room Manager to debrief, consult, and receive support as needed.
  • Accountable for reviewing and responding to emails, including training material and resources.

Skills:

  • Be flexible within role and while working with guests and team
  • Accountable for self and actions.
  • Ability to independently make decisions
  • Work both autonomously and on a team
  • Comfort in discussing and working with a variety of mental health symptoms including: suicide, suicide prevention, and psychosis.
  • Understanding individuals experiencing a mental health crisis may present with a variety of behaviors including verbal aggression, inappropriate language, loud voices, crying, etc.
  • Acts within ethical standards and demonstrates healthy boundaries
  • Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills
  • Intermediate level of skills in use of Microsoft office components of Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Organizational Competencies:

  • Decision-making: The deliberation to determine the proper action to be taken or the alternatives that should be dismissed. Determination is presumed to contemplate the organization’s objectives or goals.
  • Problem-solving: The ability to develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to make organizational improvements. Exercises good judgment by making sound, well-informed decisions and distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions.
  • Integrity: Adherence to the standards, values and rules of conduct associated with one’s position and the culture in which one operates.
  • Customer Service: The ability and willingness to find out what the customer wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organization’s costs and benefits into account.
  • Teamwork: Inspires and guides others toward goal accomplishments to consistently develop and sustain cooperative working relationships. Fosters commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.
  • Empathy: The ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others. Has the ability to put oneself “in the shoes” of another to view a situation from their perspective.
  • Mission-driven: Demonstrates, through actions, absolute clarity as to the purpose of the organization and uses the mission as a focal point when making decisions
  • Cultural Humility: The ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is other-oriented (or open to the other) in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the person
  • Growth Mindset: Demonstrates a believe that they can get better at something by dedication of time, effort, coaching and energy.

Education and Experience

  • Bilingual- English/Spanish preferred
  • Obtained or working towards Certified Recovery Support Specialist certification valid in Illinois
  • A Bachelor’s degree in allied health profession is preferred
  • Training in the Illinois Certified Recovery Support Professional Performance Domains: Advocacy, Professional Responsibility, Mentoring, and Recovery Support
  • A work history in mental health service delivery is desirable.
  • Experience working with adults preferred

Work Location:

  • Multiple locations

Work Remotely

  • No

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 – $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • Paid time off

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift
  • Holidays
  • Weekend availability

Work Location: One location

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"The best part of being part of NAMI is making a difference in our community – helping people find the resources and support they need for their families."

"Being a part of the NAMI team means using my own mental health journey to encourage others as they navigate their own and advocating relentlessly for the students who feel unseen, the families who feel unheard, and the communities who feel unsupported."

"Being a part of the NAMI team means working collaboratively, both internally and externally, to make a difference in the community. Being a part of this team is inspiring, rewarding, and exciting. Through compassion and training, we provide support, increase knowledge, and improve the wellness of those we serve."

"Being a part of NAMI is special to me because I am united with a community of the most amazing, passionate, and kind people supporting mental health wellness! NAMI represents a true team of caring individuals with unique stories working together and looking out for others."