Behavioral Health Counselor-Engagement Specialist, Community Support

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•DeKalb, IL

10d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Counselor - Engagement Specialist delivers direct care to psychiatric patients and works with patients, their support networks, and the treatment milieu to facilitate positive outcomes. The role provides community-based support and case management, including weekly contact with clients in the community or their homes, and responds to behavioral health crises in person and via telehealth. The position also coordinates care with clinicians, community agencies, law enforcement, and Northwestern Medicine departments; helps patients access treatment and other resources; and supports intake, assessment, treatment planning, and discharge linkage. The role follows Northwestern Medicine’s mission, values, Code of Ethics, policies, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification 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.

Nice To Haves

At least 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.

Responsibilities

Provide immediate support and intervention to individuals in crisis, in person and via telehealth, including people at imminent risk of suicide, in need of urgent resources, or experiencing emotional distress.
Assess individual needs and connect people with appropriate services, including mental health care, substance use treatment, and safe housing.
Collaborate with clinicians and other professionals to provide 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 empathetically to crisis situations and help individuals explore solutions and stabilize.
Coordinate patient support with law enforcement, social service agencies, and Northwestern Medicine departments.
Partner with assigned clinical therapists to provide individual interventions and manage patient crises.
Monitor and document patient progress toward treatment goals.
Plan patient discharge and linkage by securing treatment resources and scheduling follow-up appointments.
Lead new patient orientations to explain services and expectations.
Complete intake evaluations and assessments, documenting the justification for the recommended level of care using placement criteria.
Cross-train across Behavioral Health Services units and pursue professional development opportunities.
Contribute to Integrated Assessment and Treatment Plans with the multidisciplinary team.
Complete required documentation within designated time limits.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members across clinical disciplines.
Educate patients about self-help groups and encourage their use as ongoing support.
Demonstrate knowledge of street drugs and substances of abuse, including recognition of withdrawal symptoms.
Conduct telephone screenings and determine appropriate disposition based on the contact.
Apply patient placement criteria to identify the appropriate level of care and communicate with Managed Care for pre-certification.
Report incidents involving patients or staff that may compromise safety to the team lead and manager.
Support the intake process by handling assigned inquiry calls.