Crisis Engagement Specialist - CRSS

At Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which our employee team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. At Ecker, we firmly believe in the significance and positive impact of our work, demonstrating dedication and a compassionate approach, where treatment is carefully planned and customized for each client based on their individual needs and strengths. Our collective ethos extends to caring for the well-being of each of our team members. Together, our staff is fostering a warm and inclusive organizational culture that embraces individual perspectives, encouraging active participation, and open feedback to facilitate ongoing improvement.

As a trusted behavioral health organization committed to providing care in the community since 1955, we offer an array of comprehensive services for youth, adolescents, and adults. Our Mobile Crisis Response team is an itinerant intervention brigade responding to the location of the individual seeking to, achieve crisis symptom reduction & stabilization, establish support for the individual's caregivers when applicable, and mitigate the crisis event.

Job Scope: Work as part of a 2-person mobile crisis response team by using lived experience and agency-provided training to support community members experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Provide services face-to-face in the community and offer general outreach, support crisis safety planning, complete assessments, and provide solution focused interventions such as de-escalation, providing coping skills, and follow up care plans.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide treatment to and use lived experience in providing crisis intervention and case management services
• Provide triage, assessment, crisis de-escalation/resolution, coordination with local hospitals, police, fire, medical and behavioral health services, crisis planning and follow up. Manage walk-in, telephone and community-based crises
• Delivers services primarily in the community where the client is located, including shelters and client homes
• Provides referral and disposition options appropriate to the client’s needs and safety including warm hand offs to referral sources. Schedules outpatient follow ups.
• Responds to Call4Calm requests and regional crisis call hubs such as the future 988
• Evaluation of unfunded individuals and apply for Medicaid. Coordinates with CARES line for individuals funded with Medicaid

Performance Requirements

• Demonstrate independent decision-making skills, seeking consultation appropriately
• Interface and effectively liaison with other treatment providers
• Ability to value diversity, accept differences, apply cultural knowledge, and adapt to different cultural contexts.
• Knowledge of human development across the life cycle, as applicable to the clinical population served
• Must be able to work independently and be willing to travel in the community (Kane County and nearby Cook)
• Willing to transport clients when appropriate, current driver’s license, automobile, and auto insurance required

Education and Experience

• Recovery Support Specialists (RSS) draw on their own life experiences to help others develop and maintain their recovery from substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders, or dual diagnoses.
• Experience working with adults and children with mental health and/or substance use needs
• CRSS certification or capable of attaining the credential within 18 months of hire
• Bilingual Spanish preferred

Schedule

• Monday – Friday 3:30pm – 12am (40 hours a week).

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health offers a hearty benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:

• 403(b) plan with organizational contributions of 2% to 7%, based on length of service
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition reimbursement plus many other training opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program – face to face counseling sessions, resources for work/life, life coaching, financial, medical advocacy, and more
• Extended sick and disability leave
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, Ecker Center also offers a generous amount of paid time off.

• 2 – 4 weeks of vacation, based on length of service
• 8 Holidays
• 8 Personal days
• 8 Sick days

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $41,600.00 - $54,579.20 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to work the hours as posted? M - F 3:30pm - 12am
• Are you willing to become a Certified Recovery Support Specialist within 18 months of hire if you don't have the certification?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $41,600 - $54,579