Behavioral Health Counselor-Engagement Specialist

The salary range for this position is $26.35 - $38.21 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits:

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

Location: Primarily will be working in the Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Department

Schedule: 

Part time, 23 hours/week

Will be a consistent schedule, day and evening hours, no overnights or weekends.

Candidate will need to have lived experience 

The  Behavioral Health Counselor - Engagement Specialist r eflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Behavioral Health Counselor - Engagement Specialist delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patients and their support network, and with the treatment milieu to facilitate positive patient outcomes. The Behavioral Health Engagement Specialist will perform these tasks in a fashion that assures, embraces, and communicates the pledge, values and policies of Northwestern Medicine.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide immediate support and intervention to individuals in crisis, both in person and via telehealth.
• Deliver crisis supports 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 location

Preferred:

• CADC
• 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 with us, 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, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our  Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.