Crisis Worker

Thresholds•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Thresholds’ Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is dedicated to transforming the crisis care system by providing services and supports to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. As a Crisis Worker, you will respond to mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities, serving as an alternative to or in conjunction with hospitalization or police response. Your role involves answering calls to the crisis hotline, conducting safety assessments, and connecting callers to appropriate services. When a face-to-face intervention is necessary, you will, alongside a Peer Engagement Specialist, meet the caller at their home, workplace, or another community location. Together, you will provide the least restrictive intervention possible, which can range from guiding someone through a panic attack to assisting with hospitalization. Community interventions are conducted year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The team also distributes basic necessities like first aid items, water, or warm clothes to those in crisis. Following a crisis response, you will offer client follow-up based on their needs and document all services provided. During periods between calls, you will engage in professional development through self-directed projects and community outreach. Thresholds fosters a collaborative and supportive culture, offering tools, resources, training, and professional development, including clinical supervision, to enhance your knowledge and clinical skills in areas such as harm reduction and trauma-informed care. This experience is designed to prepare you for various career paths and growth opportunities within the organization.

Requirements

Passion for mental health advocacy.
Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to problem-solve.
Good writing skills.
Strong time management and organization.
To be at least 23 years old.
A valid driver’s license.
Ability to work assigned schedule: Friday-Saturday 6:45am-3:15pm, Sunday-Tuesday 2:45pm-11:15pm.
High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience OR
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field OR
Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience OR
Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field.

Nice To Haves

Having daily access to a vehicle preferred.

Responsibilities

Respond to mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities.
Act as an alternative to or in conjunction with hospitalization or police response.
Answer calls to the crisis hotline.
Conduct a quick yet robust safety assessment to determine what response is needed.
Connect the caller to an appropriate service or provider.
Conduct face-to-face interventions with a Peer Engagement Specialist at the caller's home, workplace, or another community location when necessary.
Assist the person in crisis with the least restrictive intervention possible, ranging from walking someone through a panic attack to assisting them with hospitalization.
Distribute basic necessities to individuals in crisis, such as first aid items, water, or warm clothes.
Offer a follow-up to the client based on their needs after responding to the crisis.
Document the services provided.
Focus on professional development through self-directed projects and community outreach efforts during downtime between calls.

Benefits

Competitive pay - Base Rate: $26.50 - $30.00 per hour Based on education, experience, and licensure.
Generous PTO.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
3 medical insurance plans.
403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
Robust employee assistance program (EAP).
Mileage reimbursement.
Public service loan forgiveness.
Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC).
Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision.