Crisis Counselor

Centerstone•Alton, IL

About The Position

Centerstone is a nonprofit behavioral health system that delivers care to people of all ages in a variety of settings. The Crisis Counselor provides emergency crisis intervention and consultation to clients, families, community partners, and referral sources. The role includes crisis assessment, stabilization, and intervention in community settings, by telephone, and by video, as well as facilitating appropriate connections and referrals to ongoing services. The Crisis Counselor completes required documentation and complies with applicable contracts, grants, standards, regulations, and laws. The position works under the direction of the Crisis Coordinator or Crisis Manager and participates in cross-functional teams and performance improvement initiatives. It also participates in on-call crisis services to support 24/7 coverage in service areas. This is a full-time position with a stated pay range of $48,300–$67,700. The job requires a master’s degree in social work, psychology, psychiatric nursing, or a related human services field; CPR certification; a valid driver’s license and safe driving history; and successful completion of required background screenings.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, psychiatric nursing, or another related human services field.
In-depth knowledge of clinical theory and practice and the symptomatology of psychiatric illness.
Successfully complete all required background screenings.
Ability to use electronic health records and other automated or electronic documentation systems, with computer and keyboarding experience or the ability to develop the required proficiency within agency timelines.
CPR certification.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system as it affects adolescents.
Customer service skills.
Written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

Complete job requirements with independent action and resourcefulness, seek additional duties during downtime, and organize time and resources to achieve desired outcomes.
Return phone calls and emails within 24 hours, keep voicemail and out-of-office email current, and communicate with a pleasant tone and helpful attitude.
Assist service recipients with safety and discharge plans and provide follow-up services as assigned.
Attend staff meetings, clinical staffings, and other internal meetings as assigned; participate in assigned committees, including quality assurance functions.
Maintain appropriate communication with employees and work effectively as a team member.
Conduct pre-screenings for state-operated and private psychiatric hospitals to determine the need for voluntary or involuntary psychiatric admission.
Provide clinically appropriate follow-up appointments and brief therapy until an appropriate ongoing-treatment referral is completed or no further services are indicated.
Assess individuals with substance-use concerns in emergency rooms and other community locations, and facilitate appropriate connections and referrals to ongoing services.
Provide emergency mental health consultations to physicians, law enforcement, school officials, and other community or state-agency representatives to help resolve crises.
When assigned, mentor and work alongside new staff or interns, modeling and explaining emergency processes, protocols, and services.
Arrange crisis transportation through EMS or other professional transport services when needed to help resolve crises and connect recipients with appropriate resources.
Participate in on-call crisis services to ensure 24/7 coverage in service areas.
Complete required documentation and comply with applicable contracts, grants, standards, regulations, and laws.