Recovery Support Specialist Internship Summer 2025 - Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Accepting interns for summer 2025

Department: The Living Room

This internship is intended for individuals pursuing a Certified Recovery Support Specialist credential.

Internship Description 

The Recovery Support Specialist Intern reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. 

The Recovery Support Specialist Intern uses personal and training experience to create a safe space for consumers to calmly process crisis events, learn and apply wellness strategies, and prevent future crisis events. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the recovery support specialist intern operates from the Crisis Now concept and focuses on practices including recovery orientation, trauma-informed care, and a philosophy that crises are an opportunity for learning. The recovery support specialist intern understands that peer support is voluntary, and comes from a place of non-judgment and empathy when providing services to living room guests. All services are offered within an inviting, home-like, atmosphere and are designed to proactively divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalizations.  

Responsibilities: 

• Recognize that recovery support is voluntary for the guest . 

• Acts within ethical standards and demonstrates healthy boundaries . 

• Utilize personal recovery experiences to provide peer support for guests. 

• Serves as a role model for persons in recovery by modeling effective coping techniques, self-help strategies and self-care.  

• Assists guests with identifying strengths, recovery and wellness goals and barriers, as well as with determining recovery and wellness interventions based on guests own life goals. 

• Inform guests about community and natural supports and how to utilize such in the recovery process.  

• Provide on-site Living Room support and introduction to services at NM KCH and VW to patients within the hospital setting (e.g. Emergency Department, Medical Floors, etc.). 

• Build relationships with local police, fire, emergency departments, and other organizations to promote awareness of Living Room services. 

• Advocate within systems to promote person centered recovery support services. Work with an interdisciplinary team in reviewing cases and developing individual plans. 

• Assist guest with individual service plans through rehabilitation services such as case management, advocacy, outreach, skills training groups (e.g. WRAP), social rehabilitation, and community support as indicated. 

• Facilitate recovery-oriented groups (e.g. WRAP, NAMI Peer-to-peer, WHAM) 

• Serve as an individual advocate for guests in the community and when consulting with other center staff regarding assessment and treatment/intervention planning. 

• Provide recovery information and activities to all guests; information, resources and connection to natural supports; and must follow principles of trauma informed care. 

• Provide support for guest’s needs, strengths, goals, and resources. 

• Transport guests to and from home to appointments 

• Provide support in treatment planning and discharge planning. 

• Utilize QMHP/LPHA when guest presents with acute crisis for appropriate triage/screening and treatment as indicated. 

• Consult with other service agencies around case-specific and programmatic issues. 

• Link guests to other human service programs as indicated. 

• Serve as a liaison to other community agencies as needed. 

• Train other providers and non-providers in areas related to service specialties. 

• Document service provision as required by NM Ben Gordon Center. 

• Maintain clinical and management records in accordance with policies and procedures. 

• Maintain 100% UM/UR compliance 

• Maintain 100% documentation submission within 24 hours. 

• Maintain confidentiality. 

• Immediately report suspicions of abuse or neglect. 

• Be aware of and take appropriate action with high-risk indicators including suicidal and homicidal ideations.  

• Communicate personal issues that impart your ability to perform your job duties. 

• Participate in DHS/DMH Recovery & Empowerment Statewide Calls and other trainings as assigned. 

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Recovery Support Specialists should be able to articulate their personal experience in recovery when working with patients who are experiencing mental health and/or drug/alcohol issues as it relates to providing peer support services to these patient populations.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in behavioral health related field
• One year experience working with individuals suffering from severe mental illness and/or drug and alcohol issues.
• Experience with Medicaid Rule 132/140
• Knowledge and understanding of SUPR 2060
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning classes (WRAP)
• Certified WRAP facilitator

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.