Mental Health Professional

About the role

The Mental Health Professional (MHP) works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing therapeutic and rehabilitative services, counseling, case management and integrated dual diagnosis treatment. The team works to address all treatment needs, including crisis management, substance abuse treatment, medication management, physical health treatment, mental health treatment, accessing benefits and entitlements, and other supportive services.

Responsibilities

• Effectively use written, verbal, and non-verbal communication to communicate ideas to supervisor and other peers and clients.
• Maintain a positive and productive work environment for clients.
• Conflict resolution and problem solving skills. Recognize and distinguish between productive and non-productive conflict and appropriately use effective conflict resolution techniques to respond to problems, conflicts and grievances.
• Case Management/Service Planning skills. Develop problem and goal lists and aftercare plans: prioritize problems and plans appropriate methods of addressing problems, make appropriate referrals.
• Individual service: Develop therapeutic relationships with clients and use communication skills to engage them in planning and following up: identify obstacles to recommendations and minimize their impact.
• Crisis intervention: Identify potential conflicts and implement crisis intervention techniques to prevent or intervene in potential crisis situations.
• Documentation and writing: Use clinically appropriate professional terminology to complete forms and records, accurately documenting client session, planning, and progress.
• Maintain client records, through both paper files and transitioning to electronic medical record.
• Must meet documentation standards as required by program and funding sources, including documentation of clinical interactions, behavioral health assessments & individual service plans.
• Provide billing and clinical service reports as requested, with a minimum of weekly reports being required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations.
• Develop and maintain a community referral binder with the contact information of community-based organizations.
• Attend all required meetings, committees, and trainings according to program standards.
• Participate in QI process.
• Participate in regular supervision from an RFS LPHA, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.
• Provide coordination and linkage with community agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social service field or more than 5 years of experience.
• IM+CANS certified preferred.
• Able to tailor communication styles to make the client feel comfortable.
• Able to engage clients in a clinically and respectful manner.
• Initiative and big-picture thinking.
• Case management and planning skills.
• Understanding of legal issues of this population.
• Understanding of addiction issues of this population.
• Understanding of mental illness issues of this population.
• Understanding of internal and external medical and supportive services.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Fast, accurate documentation skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO (Paid time off)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits

Pay

$40,000 - $43,000, Yearly

Schedule

8-hour shift (1-hour unpaid lunch) Monday to Friday/Monday to Friday with Evenings/Some weekends required/Variable