Peer Support/ Certified Recovery Support Specialist/ Mental Health Professional needed for Behavioral Health Clinic

About BHCO

Burton Homes Community Outreach is a licensed 501(c)(3) behavioral health clinic and CLIA-certified laboratory on Chicago's Southeast Side. We provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health services to underserved South Side communities — with deep roots in the neighborhoods we serve.

Our current group therapy programming runs three days per week and serves adults navigating grief and violent loss (Monday), women's wellness and trauma recovery (Wednesday), and community trauma and stress (Friday). We are a small, mission-driven team that believes in peer-led care, community accountability, and the power of lived experience to transform lives.

Position Overview

BHCO is seeking a passionate and qualified Peer Support Specialist, Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), or Mental Health Professional (MHP) to co-facilitate weekly behavioral health support groups serving South Side Chicago adults. This is a hybrid position — groups may be offered in-person at our Southeast Side clinic and/or virtually via telehealth platform, up to three times per week depending on participant enrollment and community interest.

The ideal candidate brings lived experience with mental health or recovery, strong clinical documentation skills, familiarity with EHR systems, and a genuine passion for community-centered healing. You will work directly under the clinical supervision of our Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Lauren Cartwright, LCPC/LCSW, with all services documented and billed in compliance with Illinois Medicaid guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Group Facilitation

• Co-facilitate trauma-informed behavioral health support groups up to 3x per week (in-person and/or virtual)
• Deliver evidence-informed psychoeducation, coping skill-building activities, and peer support within group sessions
• Create and maintain a safe, confidential, culturally responsive group environment
• Manage group sign-in sheets, attendance tracking, and session logistics
• Support facilitator lead or co-lead role depending on credential level and group needs

Documentation & Medicaid Compliance

• Complete individual client progress notes for every participant at every group session within 48 hours — no exceptions
• Document in compliance with Illinois Medicaid (HFS) billing requirements for group therapy (CPT 90853) and peer support services (H2014)
• Enter all session documentation accurately into BHCO's EHR system (Vozo) — previous EHR experience required
• Assist with tracking client attendance, treatment plan milestones, and session goals per Individual Treatment Plan (ITP)
• Participate in clinical supervision sessions with Lauren Cartwright, LCPC/LCSW, and implement documentation feedback promptly
• Flag any mandatory reporting concerns, elevated risk presentations, or clinical issues to the Clinical Director immediately

Client & Community Engagement

• Build rapport and maintain professional therapeutic boundaries with all group participants
• Support warm referrals and client intake coordination as needed
• Participate in BHCO team meetings and case consultations
• Represent BHCO's mission and values in all community-facing interactions

REQUIRED — You must meet at least ONE of the following credential levels:

CREDENTIAL WHAT IT IS WHAT YOU CAN DO AT BHCO

CRSS — Certified Recovery Support Specialist Illinois state-recognized peer credential (ICB/IAODAPCA); lived experience with MH or substance use recovery Co-facilitate all groups; bill peer support services (H2014) and group therapy (90853) under Lauren's NPI

CPRS — Certified Peer Recovery Specialist IC&RC national peer credential; equivalent to CRSS for Illinois billing purposes Same as CRSS — full group facilitation and peer billing

MHP — Mental Health Professional Bachelor's in human services + 1yr experience; OR any bachelor's + 2yrs clinical experience Co-facilitate all groups; broad MH services under clinical supervision

PSW — Peer Support Worker Documented lived experience + DHS-approved peer training Group co-facilitation under supervision; some billing limitations — discuss at interview

Pursuing CRSS / PSW (Training) Currently enrolled in CRSS training program or equivalent May still apply — discuss credential timeline at interview

All Candidates Must Also Have:

• Prior experience using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system — any platform (Vozo, TherapyNotes, SimplePractice, EchoVantage, etc.); must be comfortable with digital documentation
• Demonstrated ability to write thorough, accurate, individualized progress notes per client — Medicaid-quality documentation is a firm requirement
• Familiarity with Illinois Medicaid billing guidelines for behavioral health services (or willingness to learn quickly with training provided)
• Strong written communication skills — notes must be clear, timely, and clinically appropriate
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality (HIPAA), and ethics at all times
• Reliable internet connection and device for virtual group facilitation (hybrid model)
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and community-centered care
• Comfort working with adults experiencing grief, trauma, community violence, domestic violence, and mental health challenges

Preferred (Not Required):

• Experience facilitating group therapy or peer support groups
• Familiarity with CPT 90853 (group therapy) and H2014 (peer support) billing codes
• Knowledge of Chicago South Side community resources, referral networks, and social services landscape
• Bilingual — English/Spanish a strong plus
• Personal lived experience with grief, trauma, or mental health/recovery (peer credential candidates)

Experience with trauma-focused modalities (TF-CBT, EMDR-informed, motivational interviewing, DBT skills)

Schedule & Format

Days

Monday, Wednesday, and/or Friday — up to 3 sessions per week

Format

Hybrid — sessions offered both in-person (BHCO clinic, 9204 S. Commercial Ave.) and virtually via telehealth platform

Session Length

Approximately 60–90 minutes per group session

Flexibility

Actual number of sessions per week determined by participant enrollment and interest — minimum 1, up to 3 per week

Virtual Platform

HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform (provided by BHCO — no cost to facilitator)

Documentation Deadline

Progress notes due within 48 hours of each session — entered in EHR