After Hours Community Engagement Specialist

Pillars Community Health•Berwyn, IL

About The Position

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This position works as a mental health peer specialist and supports the crisis response by utilizing de-escalation techniques, supporting the development of crisis safety plans, and coordinating immediate and post crisis follow-up care as necessary. Assists individuals living with mental illness to identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience. Utilizes experience to facilitate and support the recoveries of others and to help shape systems of care. For on-call shifts, the Community Engagement Specialist must provide on-site assessment within 60 minutes. PCH is centralized in Berwyn, but staff travel north up to Oak Park, East to Cicero, South to Justice and West to La Grange. Most assessments on the weekend are at one of our 4 Emergency Rooms: West Suburban, Rush Oak Park, LaGrange Memorial and MacNeal.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
Position requires one to be a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorders services.
At least one (1) year of experience working in behavioral health, social services, human services or other related field.
Must maintain a safe driving record and have current valid Illinois Driver's License.
Personal vehicle needed for travel to/from community-based interventions.
Response requirements per our service contract require response periods to be within 60 minutes.
Reliable transportation is necessary for responding to crisis calls in a timely manner
Availability for the upcoming month must be submitted by the 5th of each month (Ex: the calendar for the month of August must be submitted by July 5th)
Each staff must provide 15-20 shift options
Shift availability must be distributed throughout the month
Shift availability must include weekday and weekend shifts
The calendar is published the 15th of the current month, and the employee is responsible for reviewing the calendar and reporting any issues within 3 business days

Nice To Haves

Crisis intervention experience preferred.
This position encourages one to work towards earning the CRSS credential.

Responsibilities

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to support the team's response either in person or virtually (if appropriate), to individual's experiencing a mental health crisis. Provide on-site assessment within 60 minutes.
Triages and dispatches telephone calls that come through the crisis line to the appropriate staff or department as needed. This is done on a rotating schedule.
Assists in utilizing de-escalation techniques, in coordination with the MCR Clinician, with clients experiencing a mental health crisis.
Utilizes own lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport, share experiences and strengthen engagement with the individual's that have experienced a mental health crisis.
Supports positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health Crisis programs with a focus on identifying client strengths and needs, and linking individuals to additional resources and support systems to mitigate future crisis episodes
May carry a small caseload for post-crisis follow-up activities that include skill building and case management to clients with high need
Completes required crisis, de-escalation, and position trainings and certifications.
Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws
Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of all communities and cultures
Completes required documentation within established timeframes, through use of an Electronic Client Record
Participates in specific program meetings, including required staff, line of service, and organizational meetings, and required trainings, and consultations.
Other duties as assigned.