Housing Specialist PRN

Overview

Are you looking for a flexible role where you can help others build independent living skills, manage their daily health goals, and facilitate supportive group sessions for individuals navigating mental health and substance use recovery? Chestnut Health Systems is hiring PRN (As-Needed) Direct Care Staff to support clients across our five residential housing locations. In this role, you can choose from day, evening, or overnight shifts based on program coverage needs, with schedules varying by location. This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your own schedule while earning extra compensation through shift differentials automatically applied to your weekend, evening, and overnight hours.

Chestnut Health Systems is a leading provider of behavioral and primary health care services. Over four decades, Chestnut has grown to over 700 committed, compassionate employees providing substance use, mental health and primary care treatment to patients in Central and Southern Illinois. We provide fully integrated care for all of our patients by combining behavioral health care services with our community-based primary care health centers. Chestnut also conducts research and training throughout the U.S.A.

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $19.00 - $24.31 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Meeting Clients Where They Are: You won't be stuck behind a desk. You’ll provide support in the environments where clients feel most comfortable—whether that’s in their own homes or out in the community.

• Building Custom Care Plans: Using the IM-CANS assessment tool, you’ll help clients design a personalized roadmap for their recovery based on their specific goals and needs.

• Providing Hands-On Support: You will act as a guide and advocate, offering case management, teaching daily living skills, and helping clients manage and understand their medications.

• Leading Therapy & Skill-Building: You’ll facilitate individual, family, and group therapy sessions using proven, science-backed methods (Evidence-Based Practices) to help clients build a more independent life.

• Managing the Essentials: You will handle the "behind-the-scenes" details, such as pre-authorizing and re-authorizing services to ensure care remains uninterrupted.

The Mission You’ll Support

You’ll be a champion for the Recovery Model. This means your work isn't just about managing symptoms; it’s about fostering:

• Hope & Empowerment: Believing in the client’s ability to lead a fulfilling life.

• Trauma-Informed Care: Providing a safe, respectful space that acknowledges a person’s past experiences.

• Holistic Wellness: Supporting the "whole person," including their physical health, mental well-being, and sense of community connection.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent and 6 months peer or social service experience;
• Or have a high school diploma or equivalent, and five years’ social service or peer experience; or high school diploma or equivalent and be a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in good standing with the State of Illinois; or have a Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, psychology or related human service field;
• Or have a Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, psychology or related human service field and be a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC);
• Or have a Master’s degree in counseling, social work, education, psychology or related human service field.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance and be insurable (when applicable).
• Requires basic computer skills and experience to include MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat and an electronic medical record (EMR).
• Satisfactory completion of Chestnut’s background checking process.

Chestnut welcomes applications from qualified individuals with recovery experience.

EOE – Minorities/Females/Vets/Disabled

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $19.00 - $24.31 per hour. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education, experience, local market conditions, and internal equity. Check out additional benefits here!