Behavioral Health Counselor-Engagement Specialist Full Time
- DeKalb, IL
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Search
- Healthcare Professionals/Techs, DeKalb, Illinois, United States
- Career Areas
- Growth and Expansion
- $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
- $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
- $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
- $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
- Matching 401(k)
- Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
- Paid time off and Holiday pay
- Provide immediate support and intervention to individuals in crisis, both in person and via telehealth.
- Deliver crisis supports individuals at imminent risk of suicide, in need of urgent resources, or experiencing emotional distress.
- Assess individual needs and connect them to appropriate services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, or safe housing.
- Serve as part of a team, collaborating with clinicians and other professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
- Transport individuals to necessary services or safe locations as needed.
- Facilitate support groups and deliver training sessions for staff.
- Conduct follow-up services and home or community-based visits within required timeframes.
- Use lived experience with mental health or substance use to build peer-level connections and trust.
- Respond to crisis situations with empathy and guidance, helping individuals explore solutions and stabilize.
- Collaborate with law enforcement, social service agencies, and Northwestern Medicine departments to coordinate patient support.
- Partner with assigned clinical therapists to provide individual interventions and manage patient crises.
- Monitor and document patient progress toward treatment goals.
- Plan for patient discharge/linkage by securing treatment resources and scheduling follow-up appointments.
- Lead new patient orientations to familiarize individuals with services and expectations.
- Complete intake evaluations and assessments, documenting justification for recommended level of care using placement criteria.
- Cross-train across Behavioral Health Services (BHS) units and pursue professional development opportunities.
- Contribute to Integrated Assessment and Treatment Plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
- Ensure all required documentation is completed within designated time limits.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members across clinical disciplines.
- Educate patients on self-help groups and encourage their use as ongoing support systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of street drugs and substances of abuse, including recognition of withdrawal symptoms.
- Conduct telephone screenings (inquiry calls) and determine appropriate disposition based on contact.
- Apply patient placement criteria to identify appropriate level of care and communicate with Managed Care for pre-certification.
- Report any incidents involving patients or staff that may compromise safety to team lead and manager.
- Support the intake process by handling inquiry calls as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification required within 12 months of hire.
- Valid driver's license.
- Current auto liability insurance.
- Annual driving record abstract.
- Ability to travel daily to multiple work sites and community locations.
- Minimum of one year of direct experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness.
- Experience serving on a 590-designated Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), Community Support Team (CST), and/or Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, providing immediate behavioral health interventions in community settings.