MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III- CERMAK

Job Description - MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III- CERMAK (00139154)

Job Description

MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III- CERMAK

Requisition ID

: 00139154

Job Posting

: Jun 25, 2026, 2:36:13 AM

Closing Date

: Jul 9, 2026, 10:29:00 AM Full-time Shift Start Time: 11:00 P.M. Shift End Time: 7:00 A.M.

Collective Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 73 Posting Salary: $40.411 - $48.769 HOURLY

Organization

: Health and Hospital Systems

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the SEIU 73 Organizing Committee. Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

LOCATION: CERMAK HEALTH SERVICES (DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS), 2800 S. CALIFORNIA AVE.

Department: Mental Health Services

SHIFT: 11PM-7AM

SALARY: $40.411 - $48.769 HOURLY

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

JOB SUMMARY UNION - SEIU 73

Under the direction of the Chief Correctional Psychologist and Correctional Psychologist, provides diagnostic and treatment services for mentally ill detainees for Cermak Health Services at the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC). Provides administrative and clinical direction and supervision to subordinate staff and trainees relative to the delivery of mental health services for mentally ill detainees at CCDOC. Plays a leadership role on the mental health treatment teams and provides direct patient care services for mentally ill detainees.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Conducts diagnostic interviews, comprehensive mental health assessments and suicide risk assessments for detainees in the CCDOC.

• Responds to critical patient care situations and works collaboratively with other members of the treatment team to meet the treatment and safety needs of detainees with mental illness and all staff working with these detainees.

• Processes and responds to Health Service Requests per the departmental policies.

• Provides direct patient care, including individual and group therapy and other forms of programming, as assigned by the Correctional Psychologist and/or Chief Correctional Psychologist.

• Produces treatment plans for mental health intervention, exclusive of psychiatry, for detainees determined to be in need in mental health services.

• Conducts rounds as assigned on detainees housed in Special Management Units (SMUs).

• Provides other members of the treatment team with communication regarding patient care.

• Participates in regularly scheduled meetings, including clinical supervision with the Correctional Psychologist and/or Chief Correctional Psychologist, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDT), training sessions, Town Hall meetings and others meetings as assigned.

• Documents all patient care activities and completes administrative documentation in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

• Develops and/or delivers group materials based on CBT principles and other evidence-based practices as assigned and approved by the Correctional Psychologist and/or Chief Correctional Psychologist.

• Participates in collaborative learning projects, including group supervision, aimed at improving clinical skills and treatment outcomes.

• Provides suggestions regarding departmental goals, objectives, policies and procedures to the Correctional Psychologist or other member of the departmental management team.

• Adheres to all CCDOC general orders related to civilians, Cermak and departmental policies and procedures, and Cook County (CCH) mandates, policies and regulations.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology from an accredited university/college is required. (Must provide original transcripts at time of interview)
• Expertise in conducting mental health diagnostic and ongoing assessments using a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) on adult populations is required.
• Must be licensed in the State of Illinois as an independently licensed mental health professional (e.g., Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), (Must provide proof at the time of interview)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Four (4) years of direct clinical services work experience in mental health is preferred.
• Work or training in a correctional environment is preferred.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Polish, or Arabic is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of mental health services and generally accepted standards of mental health care.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a wide variety of health professionals, individuals with mental illness and the general public; formulate and direct effective, scientifically sound mental health interventions; and to organize self and to carry out responsibilities with minimal direction.
• Skill in performing DMS-based diagnostic, biopsychosocial and mental status evaluations; conducting suicide risk assessments; developing individual treatment plans; documenting clinical activities; working as part of a treatment team delivering mental health services; and delivering cognitive-behavioral and other evidence-based clinical interventions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position .
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States'' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing, or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER