Crisis Counselor

Crisis Counselor

The Crisis Counselor provides clinical assessment, de-escalation, and crisis intervention services during mobile crisis encounters. This role holds primary responsibility for clinical decision-making on scene, including safety assessment, level of care determination, and clinical disposition. The Crisis Counselor partners with the Peer Support Specialist to deliver a comprehensive, recovery-oriented response that reduces psychiatric emergency department utilization and supports the individual's connection to appropriate community-based care.

The Crisis Counselor leads the clinical component of the mobile crisis response. They conduct safety and mental status assessments, determine the appropriate level of care, and develop or reinforce safety and service plans in collaboration with the individual, their supports, and the peer support team member. The Crisis Counselor is the clinical decision-maker on scene and is accountable for the clinical integrity of the encounter.

Core responsibilities include:

• Clinical Assessment and Crisis Intervention
• Conduct comprehensive safety assessments, mental status evaluations, and risk assessments for individuals presenting in mental health or substance use crisis.
• Determine the appropriate level of care and clinical disposition in accordance with program protocols and clinical standards.
• Develop, reinforce, or update safety plans and service plans collaboratively with the individual and involved supports.
• Apply evidence-based crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate acute psychiatric distress.
• Communicate clinical findings and disposition recommendations clearly to the individual, supports, and team members.
• Coordinate with emergency services, hospitals, law enforcement, and community providers as clinically indicated.
• Team Leadership on Scene
• Provide clinical direction to the Peer Support Specialist and other team members during the crisis encounter.
• Delegate engagement, environmental stabilization, and linkage tasks to peer staff appropriately.
• Ensure that the clinical integrity of the encounter is maintained throughout the response.
• Debrief with team members following complex or high-acuity encounters.
• Linkage and Care Coordination
• Connect individuals to appropriate behavioral health, substance use, medical, social service, housing, and community-based resources.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to treatment providers, hospitals, and community partners.
• Collaborate with Post-Crisis Care Specialists to ensure continuity of care following the acute encounter.
• Coordinate with referral partners, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations as appropriate.
• Productivity and Direct Service
• Maintain assigned direct service expectations and productivity standards established by the organization.
• Participate in all assigned shifts, crisis response deployments, and follow-up activities as scheduled.
• Documentation and Compliance
• Complete all required clinical documentation within established timelines and in accordance with agency, grant, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain all required clinical credentials and licensure.
• Adhere to all IDHS, HFS, CESSA, CARF, CCBHC, DBHR, organizational, and program-specific requirements.
• Participate in supervision, multidisciplinary staffing, and quality improvement activities.

Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare operates within a CARF-accredited environment and maintains Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) standards. All employees are expected to support compliance with:

• CARF standards
• CCBHC standards
• DBHR requirements
• HFS requirements
• CESSA requirements
• Organizational policies and procedures
• Applicable state and federal regulations

All employees are responsible for:

• Completing documentation in accordance with agency, grant, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Completing required documentation by the end of the assigned shift whenever possible.
• Completing all documentation within 24 hours of service delivery unless otherwise approved by leadership.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation.

All employees are expected to:

• Follow established intake procedures.
• Follow crisis response workflows.
• Follow documentation workflows.
• Follow communication protocols.
• Follow deployment and dispatch procedures.
• Follow organizational policies and operational procedures.

All employees are expected to:

• Complete required orientation activities.
• Complete required agency training.
• Complete crisis-specific training requirements.
• Complete grant-required training activities.
• Maintain required certifications and credentials.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.

As a field-based position, this role is expected to:

• Maintain agency vehicles, equipment, and supplies in accordance with organizational standards.
• Report maintenance, safety, or equipment concerns promptly.
• Ensure readiness for field response activities.

Clinical staff are expected to work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services throughout the crisis continuum. This includes recognizing the value of lived experience, supporting peer staff in their roles, and fostering a team environment in which peer and clinical perspectives are equally respected.

All employees are expected to:

• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and respect.
• Engage in constructive problem-solving.
• Address conflict professionally and through appropriate channels.
• Support a psychologically safe work environment.
• Demonstrate teamwork and shared responsibility for program success.

All employees are expected to represent the Crisis Program and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare professionally during community events, outreach activities, meetings, trainings, and all interactions with community partners.

All employees contribute to continuous quality improvement through participation in program development, data collection, performance improvement initiatives, audits, documentation standards, and service excellence activities appropriate to their role.

Strategic contribution indicators of success include:

• Access: Crisis encounters are responded to within established timeframes. The Crisis Counselor's availability and responsiveness support the program's capacity to meet community demand for mobile crisis services.
• Engagement: Individuals remain present and engaged through the clinical assessment and are willing to participate in the identified care plan. The Crisis Counselor's approach reduces coercive interventions and increases voluntary entry into services.
• Stabilization: Clinical assessments are completed accurately and dispositions reflect the appropriate level of care. Safety plans are developed collaboratively and reflect the individual's identified risks, strengths, and preferences.
• Linkage: Individuals leave the encounter with a confirmed next step that is understood and accepted. Warm handoffs are completed and documented. Referral connections are appropriate to the individual's clinical presentation and identified needs.
• Continuity of Care: Individuals successfully engage in recommended follow-up services following the crisis encounter. Coordination with Post-Crisis Care Specialists and treatment providers supports sustained connection to care and reduces repeat crisis utilization.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related clinical field required.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) status required.
• Licensed or license-eligible in the state of Illinois; active pursuit of clinical licensure required.
• LCSW, LCPC, or equivalent clinical licensure preferred.
• CRSS certification not required; expected to work collaboratively with and support the integration of peer services.
• Experience in crisis intervention, community mental health, or emergency behavioral health services preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented service approaches.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends consistent with program operational needs.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license required.
• Ability to work effectively in community settings and respond to mobile crisis calls across designated service areas.

Benefits include:

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)