Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Support Specialist for the Center for Family Engagement and Well-Being program.

Schedule: 2nd shift (3p - 11p) Tuesday-Saturday


Location: 777 N. Green Street, Chicago, IL 60642

Position Summary:

The Mental Health Support Specialist provides timely mental health evaluation and assessment data to help determine the correct service venue for the client.

Working At NYAP:

• NYAP's commitment to doing what is best for children, youth and their families is a core value and one that we look for in our newest team members.
• Student Loan Repayment assistance , up to $1,200 per year!
• 22 Days Off Each Year!
• Plus 11 Paid Holidays Per Year!
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for you and your family!
• Competitive salaries and benefits including a 401(k)
• Summer Hours Off (half day Fridays)
• Tuition Assistance
• Work Anniversary Trips !
• Peace leave
• Parental leave

The Mental Health Support Specialist position may include the following, as well as other duties assigned:

• Perform all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Programs mission, values, and philosophies.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support.
• Continue providing services until the youth is stabilized, placement is located and/or a warm handoff can occur to a new clinical therapist or mental health support specialist if clinically appropriate.
• Delivers prompt and professional clinical services while maintaining appropriate level of confidentiality.
• Screen referrals for mental health services determine severity and what type of services are needed.
• Work as a member of the care team to meet the needs of the customer and to support program goals.
• Applies clinical skills to help screen individuals for the program.
• Fostering people skills to be able to connect with clients.
• Develops comprehensive front-end assessment of potential clients.
• Completes clinical assessment of potential clients.
• Utilizes standardized assessment/screening tools effectively in order to help gage client appropriateness for services.
• Provides individual therapy, depression, anger management, medical providers for related medical conditions.
• Demonstrates the technical and behavioral competencies necessary in the implementation of standardized assessment tools.
• Complete all related screening documentation in a timely manner.
• Completes all required performance tracking, data collection and documentation.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with mental health experience
• Ability to relate therapeutically with customers, display cultural sensitivity and a strong sense of empathy.
• Knowledge of Medicaid Rules and other funder expectations.
• Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and recognizes signs/symptoms of psychiatric illness and substance related diagnoses.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, automotive insurance requirement 100,000/300,000 bodily injury, and a good driving record.
• Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function.
• Ability to organize data, plan, provide written and very feedback, utilize electronic health systems.
• Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

Other skills:

• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
• Capacity to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to people from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer services, and organizational skills.

Driving and Vehicle Requirements:

• Valid driver's license
• Reliable personal transportation
• Good driving record
• Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,00/$300,000 bodily injury liability

If this describes YOU, please apply today!

NYAP also requires all of our employees, regardless of your title/position, to hold and maintain automobile liability insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000. Please contact our HR department with questions, View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers. Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.


Benefits listed are for eligible employees as outlined by our benefit policy.

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.

If YOU can envision it; WE can DO it! The possibilities are endless!

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