Direct Support Worker

at Heritage Behavioral Health Center Inc. in Decatur, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Heritage has full-time positions within our residential/drop-in center programs to provide engagement, support, and skill-building to assist adults serviced by drop-in centers, group homes, supportive housing, and recovery residential programs. These programs provide a wide array of services for individuals with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. These positions work collaboratively with clients, community providers/organizations, and other Heritage staff. Residential programs operate 24 hours each day and require rotating weekends. Drop-in center programs are open seven days a week and require weekend shifts.
Residential Shifts available include:
1st shift; 7:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
2nd shift; 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
3rd shift; 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Positions available include;
Oasis Associates (Drop-in Center)
Behavioral Health Specialist- Recovery Residential
Behavioral Health Specialist- Group Home
Behavioral Health Specialist- Supportive Housing
Responsibilities Include:
Daily face-to-face contact with clients to provide active listening, support, and encouragement;
Assist with developing and practicing coping skills to manage mental health, substance use, and/or health-related symptoms;
Assist clients with learning and practicing skills to live independently, including day-to-day activities such as preparing meals, housekeeping, time management, and budgeting to ensure basic needs are met;
Provide medication monitoring and medication training to assist clients with learning how to self-administer medications, how to identify symptoms and side effects, and how to communicate concerns to providers;
Coordination and active participation in the referral and linkage to all healthcare, including primary care, specialty care, testing and treatment for high-risk conditions, mental health, dental, and vision;
Assistance with maintaining eligible benefits, including Medicaid, Social Security, Link Cards, and other entitlements;
Assistance with navigating how to support and assist clients with employment and education;
Assistance with developing positive, supportive activities (re-establishing relationships with friends and family members, support groups, wellness activities, or identifying/participating in positive social activities that support recovery);
Assistance in engaging and linking individuals to accessing eligible transportation options;
Participate in a team-based approach to providing treatment, including collaboration with clinicians, nursing, healthcare providers, probation, and other partners invested in the individual's recovery;
Attend clinical staffing(s) to collaborate with providers to coordinate treatment, including counselors, engagement staff, nursing, and clinical leaders;
Document in the electronic health record daily on interventions, client's response, and client's progress in treatment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to be a role model, confidante, caregiver, teacher, and support;
Ability to work with individuals with a mental health and/or substance use diagnosis;
Ability to meet people where they are at in their recovery, be non-judgmental, and have the ability to build rapport;
Ability to work as a team player;
Ability to tolerate ambiguity, uncertainty, and change;
Ability to navigate electronic health records;
Education and Experience:
Key characteristics of the position will include the ability to meet people where they are at in their recovery, be non-judgmental, and have the ability to build rapport.
A high school diploma or equivalent;
Minimum of 21 years of age;
A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance coverage are required.
Our Benefits Include:
NEW - Wellness Days - Every other Friday off PAID- 26 days per year
Generous vacation (5 days 1st year, increases with tenure), sick (12 days) and personal leave (4 days)
Paid holidays - 9
Health Club/Fitness Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Continuing Education Opportunities
Tuition Assistance Programs
Agency provided life insurance and short-term disability policies
Retirement plan (403(b))
Optional insurance benefits, including dependent care/health care flex spending accounts, health, dental, vision, and additional life insurance (health insurance benefit includes substantial agency contribution toward the cost)
Direct deposit of payroll check

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER