Crisis Counselor

Job Summary

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.

Primary Role During a Crisis Response

• 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.

Core Responsibilities

• Clinical Assessment and Crisis Intervention:
  • Conduct safety and mental status assessments.
  • Determine the appropriate level of care and clinical disposition.
  • Develop, reinforce, or update safety plans and service plans collaboratively with the individual and involved supports.
  • Apply evidence-based crisis intervention techniques.
  • Communicate clinical findings and disposition recommendations clearly.
  • Coordinate with emergency services, hospitals, law enforcement, and community providers.
• Team Leadership on Scene:
  • Provide clinical direction to the Peer Support Specialist and other team members.
  • Delegate engagement, environmental stabilization, and linkage tasks to peer staff.
  • Ensure clinical integrity of the encounter.
  • Debrief with team members following complex or high-acuity encounters.
  • Link individuals to appropriate resources.
• Productivity and Direct Service:
  • Maintain assigned direct service expectations and productivity standards.
  • Participate in all assigned shifts, crisis response deployments, and follow-up activities.
• Documentation and Compliance:
  • Complete required clinical documentation within established timelines.
  • Maintain required clinical credentials and licensure.
  • Adhere to all relevant standards and regulations.
• Workflow Compliance:
  • 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.
• Training and Professional Development:
  • 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.
• Vehicle and Equipment Responsibilities:
  • Maintain agency vehicles, equipment, and supplies.
  • Report maintenance, safety, or equipment concerns promptly.
  • Ensure readiness for field response activities.
• Peer Services Integration:
  • Work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services.
  • Recognize the value of lived experience.
  • Support peer staff in their roles.
  • Foster a team environment where peer and clinical perspectives are respected.
• Culture and Professionalism:
  • 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.
• Community Representation:
  • Represent the Crisis Program and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare professionally during community events, outreach activities, meetings, trainings, and all interactions with community partners.
• Quality Improvement:
  • 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• One of the following 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.
  • A 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.
• 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.

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.