CRISIS SPECIALIST - MCR

Memorial Health System; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Health System seeks a Mobile Crisis Response clinician to provide direct crisis intervention for adults, children, and families. The role includes on‑scene response, crisis assessments, de‑escalation, and coordination of care across inpatient and outpatient resources.

The position emphasizes documentation, collaboration with law enforcement, EMS, and other providers, plus ensuring safety and appropriate disposition planning in line with agency policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human service field from an accredited university or meets the “Mental Health Professional” designation as determined by the Department of Human Services.
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human services field from an accredited university is preferred.
• Valid IL driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance are required.
• Ability to pass background check and drug test required.
• Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) credential preferred, but not required
• Must have or obtain CPR, First Aid, and Personal Safety certifications within 45 days from date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct crisis intervention to individuals at the scene of the crisis.
• Utilize in‑person and telehealth responses to complete crisis assessment.
• Coordinate inpatient hospitalization with physicians, nurses, and psychiatry as needed.
• Coordinate referrals to inpatient and outpatient levels of care for emergency psychiatric assessments.
• Interview collateral contacts and treatment professionals to inform plan of care.
• Complete required administrative and legal paperwork and assist with billing documentation.

Skills

Crisis intervention

De‑escalation

Assessment

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Min

USD $27.52/Hr.

Max

USD $42.65/Hr.

Overview

Provides direct crisis intervention services to adults, children, and families in the community or hospital setting as part of the Mobile Crisis Response team. Presents to the scene of crisis, conducts mental health crisis assessments, de-escalates crisis situations, and assesses level of suicide/harm risk for persons experiencing mental health crises. Provides crisis intervention and stabilization services promoting mental health treatment in the least restrictive setting by coordinating care to outpatient resources or facilitating admission to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization when warranted. When inpatient hospitalization is needed, ensures necessary legal paperwork is accurately completed. Completes paperwork per agency/setting policies and requirements of funding sources. Ensures continuity of care for high‑risk persons suffering from mental illness through direct clinical intervention, monitoring, and advocacy functions. Seeks consultation with the supervisor when needed. Develops a healthy and safe disposition plan with clients.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human service field from an accredited university or meets the “Mental Health Professional” designation as determined by the Department of Human Services
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human services field from an accredited university is preferred

Licensure/Certification/Registry

• Valid IL driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance are required.
• Ability to pass background check and drug test required.
• Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) credential preferred, but not required
• Must have or obtain CPR, First Aid, and Personal Safety certifications within 45 days from date of hire.

Experience

• Related mental health crisis experience preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must have computer and keyboarding skills required by position.
• Ability to sensitively work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures is required.
• Ability to de‑escalate and remain calm in crisis situations.

Responsibilities

Client Services

• Develop initial preliminary assessment data including clients’ presenting problems, mental status, relevant psychiatric, medical and developmental histories to make decisions regarding diagnosis (according to DSM‑V) and/or to provide information and make appropriate referrals to other treatment resources in the community.
• Provide direct service crisis intervention to individuals at the scene of the crisis.
• Utilize both in‑person and telehealth responses to complete crisis assessment.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, EMS, and other community providers to assist in providing timely crisis intervention in the location where the crisis event is occurring.
• Implement crisis or pre‑crisis intervention procedures with potentially suicidal, homicidal, or severely disabled clients.
• Coordinate inpatient hospitalization with physicians, nurses, and psychiatry as needed.
• Coordinate referrals to inpatient and outpatient levels of care for emergency psychiatric assessments.
• Interview collateral contacts, previous and current treatment professionals, and significant others, as needed, to further assess appropriate plan of care.

Client Information System

• Complete required administrative and legal paperwork (such as: voluntary and involuntary paperwork, Crisis assessment forms, etc).
• Collect necessary information for billing and fee collection.
• Provide necessary client information to other agencies or health care providers to coordinate services to identified clients.
• Document assessments so as to be entered into the client’s EHR at MBH.
• Assist with functions of inpatient psychiatric admission.

Training Activities/Professional Growth

• Manager and colleague mutually identify professional goals, which will enhance job related skills.
• Participate in ongoing agency meetings, committees, and special projects to enhance professional expertise.
• Attend and participate in mandatory monthly clinical supervision with manager as required by the IL Department of Human Services.
• Complete all mandatory education requirements by specified deadlines.
• Participate in required staff meetings and in‑service meetings to keep abreast of agency policy and administrative procedures, meet requirements for continuing education, and upgrade professional knowledge.

Consultation/Networking

• Engage in appropriate teamwork functions (such as mutual support, clarification of office responsibilities and procedures) according to agency policy to provide a professional working environment and effective service delivery.

Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Integrity, Quality, and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values

• SAFETY: I put safety first in everything I do. I speak up, without fear on matters of patient and colleague safety. I take action to create an environment of zero harm.
• INTEGRITY: I respect others and show compassion. I behave honestly and ethically. I am accountable for my attitude, actions and health
• QUALITY: I advance my knowledge and skills. I seek continuous improvement. I deliver evidence‑based care that leads to excellence in outcomes
• STEWARDSHIP: I use resources wisely and maintain financial stability. We work together to coordinate care and services across the health system. We promote healthier communities

Job Relationships

• Communicate directly with manager for clinical supervision, clarification of agency policy, and program evaluation to promote a professional working environment and effective service delivery system.
• In absence of immediate manager, will reach out to Director for clinical supervision.
• Adhere to MH/MBH Behavioral Standards.

Other Job Responsibilities

• Respond to requests for follow‑up and outreach engagement efforts in the community and link to appropriate clinical program or outside agencies.
• Participate in On Call Rotation and assist manager in ensuring coverage of open shifts as needed
• Perform other duties as required by agency needs.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.