First Episode Psychosis Program (FEPP) Engagement Specialist

Overview

The First Episode Psychosis Program (FEPP) Engagement Specialist provides community-based outreach, engagement, and recovery support to individuals experiencing early or first-episode psychosis. This peer-informed role supports individuals in non-clinical settings by building trust, promoting hope, and connecting participants to FEPP services and natural supports. The Engagement Specialist plays a key role in helping individuals and families navigate early intervention, recovery, and stabilization services.

Chestnut Health Systems™ is a leading provider of integrated health care services. Since 1973, Chestnut has grown to more than 800 committed, compassionate employees providing substance use, mental health, and primary care treatment to patients in Illinois and Missouri. We provide fully integrated care for all 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.

Responsibilities

• Complete required data entry and documentation in accordance with program, agency, and funder requirements, including program openings, treatment/recovery/safety plans, and progress notes
• Complete all treatment, recovery, and safety plans onsite with the participant
• Submit at least 80% of progress notes and required documentation within 48 hours of service delivery
• Promote recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care practices, emphasizing hope, respect, empowerment, wellness, and self-directed recovery, using recovery-focused language in all documentation
• Build and maintain positive relationships with participants, families, natural supports, hospitals, and community partners
• Provide community-based outreach and engagement for current and potential FEPP participants
• Support initial FEPP screenings in office-based or community settings
• Deliver ongoing engagement and recovery support to assist participants in achieving stabilization and recovery goals
• Attend required meetings, staffing’s, supervision, and trainings, including:
  • Weekly FEPP meeting on Thursdays at 8:00 a.m.
  • Required supervision and supporting documentation

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrated skills in human services and working with adults in community-based settings
• Personal recovery experience and willingness to appropriately share lived recovery experience to support engagement and hope
• Ability to work within organizational structure, accept supervision, and collaborate constructively with consumers, treatment providers, and community partners
• Ability to obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within one (1) year of hire
• Experience in social services, teaching, corrections/policing, patient care, peer support, or lived recovery experience preferred
• Ability to remain calm, respectful, and supportive when working with individuals experiencing recent onset psychosis and co-occurring needs in non-clinical settings
• Valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance, and insurability
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, email, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems

Schedule & Work Environment

• This part-time position will work less than 10 hours per week.
• Flexible work schedule with required times being Thursdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm and the third Friday of each month from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
• Community-based, non-clinical work environment with frequent interaction with individuals experiencing early psychosis and co-occurring mental health, substance use, and physical health needs

Are you intrigued by this job but don’t meet every single requirement?

Chestnut is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t line up perfectly, please apply anyway! We’d love to explore the possibilities with you.

Chestnut Health Systems is a leader in the effort to achieve health equity, providing high-quality health and human services in underserved communities. We deliver trauma-informed, fully integrated care by combining behavioral health with community-based primary health care. Chestnut’s research division is nationally recognized for its contribution to evidence-based practices. Our empathic and innovative employees live our mission of making a difference.

Chestnut offers a new salary structure and robust benefits!

EOE – Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. Chestnut welcomes applications from qualified individuals with recovery experience.

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $19.00 - $20.00 an 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!