Behavioral Health Response Specialist

Locust Street Resource Center; Carlinville (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

PTO (Sick Time)

Holidays

401k

Insurance (Health/Dental/Vision)

Travel expense reimbursement

Job summary

Locust Street Resource Center is seeking an Overnight Behavioral Health Response Specialist to provide assessments, stabilization, and support across clinic, community, and telehealth settings. You will participate in urgent care activities, care coordination, and mobile response, delivering recovery-focused, trauma-informed services.

The role requires meeting MHP criteria per Illinois DHS, with Bachelor's in a human services field or equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Meets criteria for Mental Health Professional (MHP) per Illinois DHS: Bachelor's in Human Services or HS with required behavioral health experience and/or state certification.
• CRSS/CPRS/CADC or other behavioral health certifications preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, counseling, community or peer services preferred.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to assess consumer needs and respond to crises; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Interact with consumers professionally, respectfully, and with cultural sensitivity.
• Deliver services supporting recovery, resilience, and trauma-informed care.
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, and crisis evaluations.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization services during behavioral health emergencies.
• Offer community support, rehabilitation, bridge therapy, and care coordination as needed.
• Develop individualized treatment and safety plans; facilitate groups when assigned.
• Coordinate care with hospitals, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare providers.
• Participate in mobile response activities and telehealth as appropriate.
• Maintain documentation timely and ensure Medicaid/regulatory compliance.

Job description

Position: Behavioral Health Response Specialist - OVERNIGHT

Company: Locust Street Resource Center

Schedule: OVERNIGHTS

Pay Range: $20.20 - $22.30/Hourly

Experience Level: MHP | Bachelor's Preferred

Position Description:

The Behavioral Health Response Specialist provides assessments, interventions, stabilization, treatment, and support services to individuals experiencing behavioral health needs ranging from routine concerns to acute psychiatric crises. Services are provided in a variety of settings including the clinic, community, consumer residence, healthcare settings, schools, and through telehealth when clinically appropriate.

This position serves as part of the Behavioral Health Urgent Care team and is responsible for providing a continuum of services including urgent behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, community support, bridge therapy, care coordination, and mobile response services. Service delivery is expected to embrace recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered practices that foster hope, resilience, wellness, and self-determination.

Treatment and intervention activities are guided by individualized treatment plans and are designed to support stabilization, reduce unnecessary emergency room utilization, improve access to care, and connect individuals with ongoing behavioral health services.

This position will be cross-trained and may provide crisis intervention, behavioral health urgent car e services, community support, bridge therapy, mobile response, care coordination, peer support activities, and other medically necessary services consistent with their education, certification, licensure, and scope of practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interact with consumers in a caring, professional, and responsive manner consistent with agency mission and values
• Interact with consumers in a fashion that reflects respect, dignity, and sensitivity to cultural differences
• Deliver services in a manner that promotes recovery, resiliency, and trauma-informed care principles
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, and crisis evaluations
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization services to individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies
• Provide community support and rehabilitation services as medically necessary
• Provide brief and bridge therapy services to support stabilization and continuity of care
• Develop and implement individualized treatment and safety plans
• Facilitate psychoeducational, therapeutic, and support groups as assigned
• Coordinate care with hospitals, law enforcement, schools, healthcare providers, community agencies, and natural supports
• Participate in mobile response activities and community-based service delivery as assigned
• Provide services in office, community, and telehealth settings as clinically appropriate
• Work cooperatively as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure consumer needs are met
• Work cooperatively as a member of a treatment team to maintain a positive work environment
• Work a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, overnight coverage, and on-call responsibilities to meet agency and consumer needs
• Maintain productivity standards, including concurrent documentation, and provide billable services consistent with agency expectations
• Complete all required documentation, assessments, treatment plans, and service notes within established timeframes
• Maintain compliance with all Medicaid, accreditation, and regulatory requirements
• Seek supervision and consultation regarding policies, procedures, clinical concerns, and service delivery expectations as needed
• Attend all required meetings, trainings, certifications, and continuing education activities
• Abide by HIPAA requirements, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, and all applicable state and federal regulations
• Ensure best practices are followed by adhering to agency policies, procedures, and quality standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Meets criteria for Mental Health Professional (MHP) as defined by Illinois Department of Human Services requirements, including:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field; or
  • High School Diploma/GED with the required combination of behavioral health experience, training, and/or state-recognized certification as permitted by Illinois Medicaid and applicable funding requirements
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or other applicable behavioral health certification – preferred
• Experience providing behavioral health, crisis intervention, counseling, community support, peer support, case management, or related services – preferred
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care principles
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, behavioral health treatment, and crisis intervention practices
• Ability to assess consumer needs and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises
• Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team
• Ability to provide community-based services and transportation to agency consumers as needed
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver's license, and proof of auto insurance
• Must pass required background checks

What We Offer:

• Vacation
  • 10 days per year Years 1-5
  • 15 days per year Years 6-10
  • 20 days per year Years 11+
• PTO (Sick Time)
  • 6 days per year / Maximum of 60 days
• Holidays
  • 10 per year
• 401k
• Insurance
  • Group Health
  • Dental (optional)
  • Vision (optional)
  • Basic Term Life (company paid for employee only)
  • Voluntary Term Life (optional)
  • Malpractice
  • Worker's Compensation
  • Monthly Travel and expense reimbursement

Benefits may vary based on position and employment status.

Why Join Locust Street Resource Center?

At Locust Street Resource Center, we believe that every individual should have access to compassionate, responsive, professional care. We are committed to creating a positive, supportive, professional and team-oriented workplace where employees have the opportunity to to develop new skills and advance their careers while helping others succeed.

Locust Street Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.