Mental Health Support Specialist Master Level

About the role

Mental health professional working in a mental health setting for adults. Location: Matteson, Illinois (travel required to assigned hospitals across Chicago and the South Suburbs).

Responsibilities

• Supports, represents, and extends the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Functions as the primary mental health professional contact person with referral sources at assigned hospitals and other community venues.
• Delivers prompt and professional clinical services while maintaining appropriate level of confidentiality.
• Screens referrals for mental health services, determines severity and what type of services are needed.
• Builds name recognition and working relationships with Maximus screeners.
• Works as a member of the care team to meet the needs of the customer and support program goals.
• Builds working relationships with hospital social workers.
• Utilizes and creates a work base from the point of referral, which will be the hospital or community setting.
• Applies clinical skills to help screen individuals for the program.
• Utilizes standardized assessment/screening tools effectively in order to help gauge client appropriateness for services.
• Diagnoses mental illness with knowledge of DSM VI.
• Creates linkage and referrals for follow-up services.
• Provides individual therapy, depression, anger management, medical providers for related medical conditions.
• Functions effectively as a link between the hospital, the client and the subsequent service providing agency worker.
• Completes all related screening documentation in a timely manner.
• Completes all required performance tracking, data collection and documentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned by program supervisor.

Requirements

• Licensed social worker (LSW) with a master's degree in social work and licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act [225 ILCS 20] with specialized training in mental health services or at least 2 years of experience in mental health services working with adults.
• Licensed professional counselor with a master's degree and licensed under the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act [225 ILCS 107] with specialized training in mental health services or at least two years of experience in mental health services working with adults.
• Registered nurse (RN) licensed under the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65] with at least one year of clinical experience in a mental health setting or who possesses a master's degree in psychiatric nursing.
• An occupational therapist (OT) licensed under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act [225 ILCS 75] with at least one year of clinical experience in a mental health setting.
• An individual with a master's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, or family therapy or related field, who has successfully completed a practicum or internship that included a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised direct service, or who has one year of clinical experience under the supervision of a QMHP.
• At least 2 years of work experience working in the mental health field in a crisis setting.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer services, and organizational skills.
• Able to relate therapeutically with customers, display cultural sensitivity and strong sense of empathy.
• Knowledge of Medicaid Rules and other funder expectations.
• Familiarity and knowledge of DSM VI and psychological testing strongly encouraged.
• Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and recognizes signs/symptoms of psychiatric illness and substance related diagnoses.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, good driving record, minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000.

Qualifications

• Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function.
• Ability to organize data, plan, provide written and verbal feedback, utilize electronic health systems.
• Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
• Capacity to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Customer services.
• Organizational skills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Empathy.
• Knowledge of DSM VI.
• Psychiatric diagnosis.
• Medicaid Rules.
• Psychological testing.
• Driving and vehicle requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for you and your family!
• 22 Days Off Each Year!
• Plus 11 Paid Holidays Per Year!
• Competitive salaries and benefits including a 401(k)
• Tuition Assistance
• Work Anniversary Trips!
• Parenthood leave
• Mileage Reimbursement

Pay

$50,000–$55,000 annually for candidates with a Master’s degree; up to $57,000 annually for licensed candidates.

Schedule

Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment assistance, up to $1,200 per year!
• Work Anniversary Trips!
• Parenthood leave
• Mileage Reimbursement

Pay and Schedule

$50,000–$55,000 annually for candidates with a Master’s degree; up to $57,000 annually for licensed candidates. Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Company Information

National Youth Advocate Program has been serving communities and clients since 1978 and we continue to grow each year. Our growth allows us to expand and develop new and innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. We offer unique and personalized services for families and individuals in four areas: Prevention/Intervention, Positive Youth Development, Out-of-Home-Placement and Reunification/Permanency.

About NYAP

We know you are compassionate and dedicated to serving your clients and communities and NYAP is dedicated to providing support to those who join our team! We look for individuals that are ready to make a direct impact and are excited to be an instrument in supporting the needs of our children, youth and families. An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.