Behavioral Health Specialist - Recovery

Behavioral Health Specialist - Heritage Behavioral Health Center - Decatur, Illinois

Salary:

High School or GED: $18.00/hour + Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Shift Differential: $2.00/hour for 2nd and 3rd shift

Schedule: Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care - regardless of the position they hold.

• Collaborative mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off - paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center (Crisis Stabilization Unit, Residential Rehabilitation Unit, and/or Group Homes)

Schedule: 24/7 programs with multiple shifts (days/evenings/nights; weekends and holidays required; rotating/alternative schedules available)

Behavioral Health Specialists provide compassionate, paraprofessional support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in a recovery‑oriented, person‑centered environment. Working within our Crisis Stabilization Unit, Residential Rehabilitation Unit, or Group Homes, you'll deliver direct care, skills coaching, safety monitoring, and daily living support that help individuals stabilize, build independence, and thrive in the community. This role is ideal for candidates who are reliable, teachable, and committed to trauma‑informed care, even in fast‑paced or crisis settings.

• Coach residents in ADLs (meal prep, hygiene, housekeeping, laundry) and independent living skills (medication routines, budgeting, time management).
• Promote healthy routines: sleep hygiene, nutrition, movement, and community participation.

• Use motivational, strength‑based approaches to build rapport and engagement.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate psycho educational groups (coping skills, wellness, relapse prevention, community integration).

• Maintain therapeutic milieu and conduct scheduled safety checks.
• Use deescalation techniques and follow crisis protocols; promptly seek clinical support when risk increases.
• Support transitions between CSU, RRU, Group Homes, and community settings.

• Support medication routines per program protocol (e.g., reminders, observation/ documentation when applicable).
• Encourage adherence to medical/behavioral health appointments and care plans; assist with transportation as needed.

• Complete timely, accurate progress notes, checklists, incident reports, and shift handoffs in accordance with policy.
• Communicate effectively with clinical teams (nurses, therapists, prescribers, case managers) and follow care plans.

• Uphold trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, recovery‑oriented care principles.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe environments; follow infection control and confidentiality standards (HIPAA).
• Participate in trainings, drills, and quality improvement activities.

• Understanding of mental health and substance use conditions, recovery principles, and social determinants of health.
• Awareness of trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, and person‑centered practices.

• Communication: Clear, compassionate verbal/written communication; active listening; professional boundaries.
• Deescalation: Calm presence under pressure; ability to use verbal intervention and…