Crisis Counselor- 591

Friend Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Friend Health is seeking a Crisis Counselor to join the Mobile Crisis Response Team. You will respond to crisis calls in homes, schools, hospitals, and community settings to assess risk, stabilize individuals, and coordinate levels of care.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, recovery-oriented practice and reducing unnecessary hospitalization. You will collaborate with crisis clinicians, hospitals, law enforcement, EMS, and family members to ensure timely support and connections to ongoing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or another human services field or minimum of 5 years of experience in mental health.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience in crisis intervention is desirable.
• HIPAA, documentation, and compliance practices

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral health crisis calls in community settings (homes, schools, hospitals, etc).
• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health and risk assessments to determine intervention level.
• Develop and implement crisis stabilization and safety plans.
• Coordinate with hospitals, law enforcement, EMS, schools, and community partners during crisis response.
• Provide short-term crisis intervention using trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, referrals, and follow-up activity.
• Participate in rotating on-call, weekend, holiday, and 12-hour shift coverage.

Skills

Strong communication

Empathy

Independence

Cultural competence

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or another human services field

Job description

Under the supervision of the Crisis Program Supervisor, the Crisis Counselor provides community-based mobile crisis intervention services to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing behavioral health emergencies. As part of the Mobile Crisis Response Team, the Crisis Counselor responds to crisis calls in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings to assess risk, stabilize individuals in crisis, develop safety plans, coordinate appropriate levels of care, and connect individuals and families to ongoing behavioral health and community resources.

The Crisis Counselor works collaboratively with crisis clinicians, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS), community providers, and family members to ensure timely, person-centered, trauma-informed care while promoting recovery and reducing unnecessary hospitalization whenever appropriate.

JOB DUTIES

• Respond to behavioral health crisis calls in community settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and other designated locations.
• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health and risk assessments to determine the appropriate level of intervention.
• Develop and implement crisis stabilization and safety plans.
• Coordinate with hospitals, law enforcement, EMS, schools, and community partners during crisis response.
• Provide short-term crisis intervention utilizing trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practices.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all assessments, interventions, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Participate in rotating on-call, weekend, holiday, and 12-hour shift coverage as assigned.

SCHEDULE

• 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or another human services field: or minimum of 5 years of experience working in mental health as a behavioral or social adjustment specialist.
• Bilingual fluency in English/Spanish preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Mental health services and behavioral health best practices.
• Techniques in case management and crisis intervention.
• Cultural and socio-economic factors affecting behavioral health.
• Rehabilitation, therapeutic, and social service community resources.
• HIPAA, documentation, and compliance practices.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication, both written and verbal.
• Ability to perform assessments and develop individualized plans.
• High level of empathy and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Computer proficiency and record-keeping accuracy.
• Must be able to work with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural competence.

Licenses/Requirements:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and meet agency vehicle insurance standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, twist, lift light loads, reach, and operate a computer and vehicle.
• Work may require traveling between sites and working in the community.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

This job description is to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the duties as described. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate commensurate to the position. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Friend Health - HRDI reserves the right to change this job description and /or assign tasks deemed as needed.

WORKING & PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

Standard office environment: some offsite work required.
Moderate physical activity with occasional lifting of 15-25 pounds.
Minimal exposure to physical risk.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Comprehensive Benefits Package, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Occupational Risk for Exposure to TB:

There is an occupational risk for exposure to TB, as this position involves extensive community and patient contact. Employees in this role are required to comply with annual TB testing as part of workplace health and safety protocols. The only acceptable exceptions to this requirement are documented medical contraindications or religious objections. Employees who decline TB testing will be required to wear a mask when deemed necessary.

Friend Health - HRDI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Friend Health - HRDI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process). Friend Health - HRDI supports the Pay Transparency Law as an equal opportunity employer.

Join Our Team

Be part of a mission-driven team working to transform mental health services in underserved communities through collaboration, compassion, and innovation. At HRDI, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact while growing your career in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.