Crisis Continuum of Care Crisis Worker

Basic Function

Under the supervision of a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA), the Crisis Continuum of Care Crisis Worker provides rapid, community-based behavioral health assessment, crisis intervention, stabilization, safety planning, care coordination, and linkage to ongoing behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing behavioral health crises.

The Crisis Continuum of Care Crisis Worker serves within Ada S. McKinley's integrated Crisis Continuum of Care Program, delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally responsive, and person-centered behavioral health services in homes, schools, hospitals, emergency departments, community settings, and other approved locations.

The Crisis Continuum of Care integrates Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), the Crisis Stabilization Program (CSP), and the 590 Crisis Program into one coordinated system designed to provide immediate crisis response, stabilization, diversion from unnecessary emergency department utilization and psychiatric hospitalization, and timely linkage to ongoing behavioral health treatment.

The Crisis Continuum of Care Crisis Worker functions as a flexible clinical provider across all Crisis Continuum of Care services. Staff may provide services interchangeably within Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), the Crisis Stabilization Program (CSP), and the 590 Crisis Program based on operational needs, staffing assignments, and client needs. Employees are expected to maintain competency and proficiency in all Crisis Continuum of Care workflows, policies, and clinical practices.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral health crisis assessments utilizing the IM-CAT and other approved clinical screening tools.
• Conduct suicide, homicide, violence, and behavioral health risk assessments.
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, stabilization, and collaborative safety planning.
• Determine the least restrictive clinically appropriate level of care.
• Coordinate psychiatric hospitalization and hospital diversion when appropriate.
• Provide follow-up recommendations and continuity of care planning.
• Respond to behavioral health crises within established response time standards.
• Provide services in homes, schools, hospitals, emergency departments, and community settings.
• Coordinate transitions between MRSS, Crisis Stabilization Program, 590 Crisis Program, outpatient services, and inpatient care.
• Link individuals and families with behavioral health, medical, educational, housing, and community resources.
• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, accountability, and cultural responsiveness.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Program Flexibility

• Provide services within MRSS, Crisis Stabilization Program, and the 590 Crisis Program.
• Maintain competency across all Crisis Continuum of Care programs.
• Complete all required program-specific training.
• Adapt to changing assignments based on operational needs.

Collaboration

Collaborate with Team Leads, Program Manager, Director, LPHAs, Peer Support Specialists, Case Managers, Nurses, APNs, Psychiatrists, hospitals, schools, law enforcement, 988, community providers, and Managed Care Organizations.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain timely and accurate electronic health record documentation.
• Complete documentation within agency-established timelines.
• Maintain compliance with Medicaid, IDHS, HFS, agency policy, and professional standards.
• Participate in supervision, quality improvement, and required trainings.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree qualifying as an Illinois Mental Health Professional (MHP); QMHP preferred.
• Knowledge of Illinois MRSS / 590 standards preferred.
• Experience in community behavioral health crisis intervention preferred.
• Valid Illinois driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.

Compensation: 

$55,000 Annually

Benefits  

• Paid vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Plan  
• Life Insurance
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Family medical leave
• Tuition reimbursement
  

Benefit options and eligibility vary by Fulltime and Part-time positions. Compensation within the posted salary range varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and performance at the time of the offer.

Mental/Physical Demands:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations here only limited standardization exists.  The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit.  The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions:

Work may be performed in office, school, community, residential, or home-based settings, depending on program need. May require evening hours, occasional weekend coverage, local travel, and participation in crisis related support. This position requires on‑site presence and is not a remote role.

This description documents the general contents and requirements of the job.  It is not to be construed as an exhausted statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.  The principal duties and responsibilities shown are all essential job functions except for those indicated with an asterisk (*). The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.