Recovery Support Specialist Internship Summer 2025

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

Accepting interns for summer 2025

Department: The Living Room

Internship Description 

TheRecovery Support SpecialistIntern reflects the mission vision and values of NM adheres to the organizations 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 traumainformed 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 nonjudgment and empathy when providing services to living room guests. All services are offered within an inviting homelike 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 selfhelp strategies and selfcare.  

• 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 onsite 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 recoveryoriented groups (e.g. WRAP NAMI Peertopeer 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 guests 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 casespecific 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 nonproviders 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 highrisk 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. 

Qualifications :

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:

• Bachelors 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

Additional Information :

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 casebycase basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Fulltime