Crisis Worker

Thresholds•Kankakee, IL

8d•$27 - $30

About The Position

Thresholds is hiring a Crisis Worker for its Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), which provides support to people experiencing mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities. The role offers an alternative to, or works in conjunction with, hospitalization or police response. During each shift, the Crisis Worker answers calls to the crisis hotline and conducts safety assessments to determine the appropriate response. Depending on the caller’s needs, the worker may connect them with a service or provider or, alongside a Peer Engagement Specialist, meet them at home, work, or another community location. The team provides the least restrictive intervention possible, ranging from helping someone through a panic attack to assisting with hospitalization. Community interventions take place year-round and in all weather conditions. The team may distribute basic necessities such as first-aid items, water, or warm clothing. After a response, the Crisis Worker offers follow-up based on the client’s needs and documents the services provided. Between calls, the worker may pursue self-directed professional development projects and community outreach. Thresholds describes its culture as collaborative and supportive and offers training and professional development, including clinical supervision. These opportunities support development in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices.

Requirements

Be at least 23 years old.
Have a valid driver’s license.
Be able to work the assigned schedule: Friday through Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Have a high school diploma or GED and five years of supervised clinical experience; or a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and two years of supervised clinical experience; or a master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
Have a passion for mental health advocacy.
Have effective communication and relationship-building skills.
Be able to problem-solve.
Have good writing skills.
Have strong time-management and organizational skills.
Be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods and occasionally traverse long distances and ascend or descend multiple flights of stairs.

Nice To Haves

Daily access to a vehicle is preferred.

Responsibilities

Answer calls to the crisis hotline.
Conduct safety assessments and determine the response needed.
Connect callers to appropriate services or providers when a face-to-face intervention is not necessary.
Respond in person with a Peer Engagement Specialist at a caller’s home, workplace, or another community location.
Provide the least restrictive intervention possible, including support during panic attacks or assistance with hospitalization.
Distribute basic necessities, such as first-aid items, water, or warm clothing, when needed.
Offer client follow-up based on the client’s needs.
Document services provided.
Pursue self-directed professional development projects and participate in community outreach during downtime between calls.