Senior Crisis Counselor

Trilogy Careers•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Crisis Counselor provides advanced clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and leadership support within the Mobile Response Stabilization Services program. In addition to maintaining direct service responsibilities, the Senior Crisis Counselor serves as an informal clinical resource for team members, supports onboarding and workforce development activities, and contributes to program quality and operational excellence. The Senior Crisis Counselor partners with the peer support team and holds primary responsibility for clinical decision-making on scene. During a crisis response, the Senior Crisis Counselor leads the clinical component of the mobile crisis response with a higher degree of independence and skill, including on complex, high-acuity, or specialized encounters. They contribute to team development and quality beyond their direct service responsibilities and are recognized as a clinical resource within the program.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related clinical field required.
Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) status required.
Licensed or actively pursuing clinical licensure in the state of Illinois; LCSW or LCPC preferred.
Minimum of two years of experience in crisis intervention, community mental health, or emergency behavioral health services required.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-acuity, or specialized crisis presentations.
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

CRSS certification not required; expected to work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive safety assessments, mental status evaluations, and risk assessments for individuals presenting in mental health or substance use crisis, including on complex or high-acuity encounters.
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 advanced evidence-based crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate acute psychiatric distress.
Provide clinical consultation to Crisis Counselors on complex or uncertain presentations.
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.
Debrief with team members following complex or high-acuity encounters.
Model clinical best practice and trauma-informed crisis engagement for peers and junior staff.
Support onboarding and orientation activities for new Crisis Counselors.
Serve as an informal clinical mentor, providing guidance on complex cases, documentation, and professional practice.
Assist with training initiatives and workforce development activities as directed by supervisory staff.
Contribute to organizational learning through participation in team meetings, clinical roundtables, and knowledge-sharing activities.
Model clinical professionalism and trauma-informed engagement for the broader team.
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, licensure, and QMHP status.
Adhere to all IDHS, HFS, CESSA, CARF, CCBHC, DBHR, organizational, and program-specific requirements.
Participate in supervision, multidisciplinary staffing, and quality improvement activities.
Support compliance with CARF standards, CCBHC standards, DBHR requirements, HFS requirements, CESSA requirements, and organizational policies and procedures.
Complete documentation in accordance with agency, grant, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
Complete required documentation by the end of the assigned shift whenever possible.
Complete all documentation within 24 hours of service delivery unless otherwise approved by leadership.
Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation.
Follow established intake procedures.
Follow crisis response workflows.
Follow documentation workflows.
Follow communication protocols.
Follow deployment and dispatch procedures.
Follow organizational policies and operational procedures.
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.
Recognize the value of lived experience, support peer staff in their roles, and foster a team environment in which peer and clinical perspectives are equally respected.
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
$1,500 Sign-On Bonus