Crisis Counselor

Trilogy Careers • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Counselor provides clinical assessment, de-escalation, and crisis intervention services during mobile crisis encounters. This role holds primary responsibility for clinical decision-making on scene, including safety assessment, level of care determination, and clinical disposition. The Crisis Counselor partners with the Peer Support Specialist to deliver a comprehensive, recovery-oriented response that reduces psychiatric emergency department utilization and supports the individual's connection to appropriate community-based care.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field
• Bachelor's degree in any other field with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting
• Licensed Practical Nurse under the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65]
• Certificate of Psychiatric Rehabilitation from a DHS-approved program, a high school diploma/GED, and two years’ experience of experience in a mental health setting
• CRSS certification through IAODAPCA
• Family Partnership Professional certificate from and in good standing with IAODAPCA
• Occupational Therapy Assistant licensed under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act [225 ILCS 75] with one-year experience in a mental health setting
• High school diploma or GED and five years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling preferred
• CRSS certification not required; expected to work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services.
• Experience in crisis intervention, community mental health, or emergency behavioral health services preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented service approaches.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends consistent with program operational needs.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license required.
• Ability to work effectively in community settings and respond to mobile crisis calls across designated service areas.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling
• Experience in crisis intervention, community mental health, or emergency behavioral health services
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented service approaches.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive safety assessments, mental status evaluations, and risk assessments for individuals presenting in mental health or substance use crisis.
• Determine the appropriate level of care and clinical disposition in accordance with program protocols and clinical standards.
• Develop, reinforce, or update safety plans and service plans collaboratively with the individual and involved supports.
• Apply evidence-based crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate acute psychiatric distress.
• Communicate clinical findings and disposition recommendations clearly to the individual, supports, and team members.
• Coordinate with emergency services, hospitals, law enforcement, and community providers as clinically indicated.
• Provide clinical direction to the Peer Support Specialist and other team members during the crisis encounter.
• Delegate engagement, environmental stabilization, and linkage tasks to peer staff appropriately.
• Ensure that the clinical integrity of the encounter is maintained throughout the response.
• Debrief with team members following complex or high-acuity encounters.
• Connect individuals to appropriate behavioral health, substance use, medical, social service, housing, and community-based resources.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to treatment providers, hospitals, and community partners.
• Collaborate with Post-Crisis Care Specialists to ensure continuity of care following the acute encounter.
• Coordinate with referral partners, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations as appropriate.
• Maintain assigned direct service expectations and productivity standards established by the organization.
• Participate in all assigned shifts, crisis response deployments, and follow-up activities as scheduled.
• Complete all required clinical documentation within established timelines and in accordance with agency, grant, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain all required clinical credentials and licensure.
• Adhere to all IDHS, HFS, CESSA, CARF, CCBHC, DBHR, organizational, and program-specific requirements.
• Participate in supervision, multidisciplinary staffing, and quality improvement activities.
• Complete required orientation activities.
• Complete required agency training.
• Complete crisis-specific training requirements.
• Complete grant-required training activities.
• Maintain required certifications and credentials.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Maintain agency vehicles, equipment, and supplies in accordance with organizational standards.
• Report maintenance, safety, or equipment concerns promptly.
• Ensure readiness for field response activities.
• Work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services throughout the crisis continuum.
• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and respect.
• Engage in constructive problem-solving.
• Address conflict professionally and through appropriate channels.
• Support a psychologically safe work environment.
• Demonstrate teamwork and shared responsibility for program success.
• Represent the Crisis Program and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare professionally during community events, outreach activities, meetings, trainings, and all interactions with community partners.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement through participation in program development, data collection, performance improvement initiatives, audits, documentation standards, and service excellence activities appropriate to their role.

Benefits

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit)
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level