Behavioral Health Counselor-Engagement Specialist, Part Time

Salary: $26.35 - $38.21 per hour. Placement is based on work experience, internal equity, and union rules as applicable. Benefits include tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, professional development funding, wellbeing fund, 401(k) match, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, annual salary increases, incentive bonuses, paid time off and holiday pay. For details, visit jobs.nm.org/benefits. Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to delivering world-class care. Our teams include some of the nation’s best clinical talent, working at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We celebrate diverse perspectives and support career growth with comprehensive training, mentorship, educational support, student loan repayment, flexible work options, a reimbursable wellbeing fund, and a total rewards package. Location Primarily works in the Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Department. Schedule Part-time, 23 hours/week. Consistent day and evening hours; no overnight shifts or weekends. Candidate must have lived experience. The Behavioral Health Counselor - Engagement Specialist r reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies and regulatory standards. The role delivers direct care to psychiatric patients, interacting with patients, support networks, and the treatment milieu to facilitate positive outcomes. This includes providing crisis support in person and via telehealth, assessing needs, connecting patients to services, collaborating with clinicians and other professionals, transporting patients as needed, facilitating support groups, conducting follow-up visits, and using lived experience to build trust. Responsibilities Provide immediate support and intervention to individuals in crisis, both in person and via telehealth. Deliver crisis support to individuals at imminent risk of suicide, in need of urgent resources, or experiencing emotional distress. Assess individual needs and connect them to appropriate services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, or safe housing. Serve as part of a team, collaborating with clinicians and other professionals to ensure comprehensive care. Transport individuals to necessary services or safe locations as needed. Facilitate support groups and deliver training sessions for staff. Conduct follow‑up services and home or community‑based visits within required timeframes. Use lived experience with mental health or substance use to build peer‑level connections and trust. Respond to crisis situations with empathy and guidance, helping individuals explore solutions and stabilize. Collaborate with law enforcement, social service agencies, and Northwestern Medicine departments to coordinate patient support. Partner with assigned clinical therapists to provide individual interventions and manage patient crises. Monitor and document patient progress toward treatment goals. Plan for patient discharge/linkage by securing treatment resources and scheduling follow‑up appointments. Lead new patient orientations to familiarize individuals with services and expectations. Complete intake evaluations and assessments, documenting justification for recommended level of care using placement criteria. Cross‑train across Behavioral Health Services (BHS) units and pursue professional development opportunities. Contribute to Integrated Assessment and Treatment Plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Ensure all required documentation is completed within designated time limits. Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members across clinical disciplines. Educate patients on self‑help groups and encourage their use as ongoing support systems. Demonstrate knowledge of street drugs and substances of abuse, including recognition of withdrawal symptoms. Conduct telephone screenings (inquiry calls) and determine appropriate disposition based on contact. Apply patient placement criteria to identify appropriate level of care and communicate with Managed Care for pre‑certification. Report any incidents involving patients or staff that may compromise safety to team lead and manager. Support the intake process by handling inquiry calls as assigned. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification required within 12 months of hire. Valid driver’s license. Current auto liability insurance. Annual driving record abstract. Ability to travel daily to multiple work sites and community locations. Preferred Current Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) designation. Minimum of one year of direct experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness. Experience serving on a 590‑designated Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), Community Support Team (CST), and/or Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, providing immediate behavioral health interventions in community settings. Equal Opportunity Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis in accordance with all relevant laws and the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Sign‑on Bonus Eligibility Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within one year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position may be eligible depending upon the job family. #J-18808-Ljbffr Northwestern Medicine