Crisis Worker, Stroger Hospital

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay (60,600–63,600 USD)

Generous PTO and holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance

403(b) with employer match

Employee assistance program

Licensure supervision and licensure/re

Travel mileage reimbursement

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

Thresholds is a mission-driven Illinois-based mental health provider. The Crisis Worker delivers crisis intervention and assessment in a hospital emergency department, partnering with medical and psychiatric teams to determine care levels and coordinate referrals.

The role emphasizes rapid clinical judgment, risk stratification, and patient stabilization, with a focus on education, discharge planning, and linkage to ongoing services within a busy ER setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, or closely related field required.
• LPHA licensure (LCSW/LCPC) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs risk assessment in an emergency room setting to determine disposition and treatment.
• Use clinical judgment to make quick decisions in high-stress situations with high patient volume.
• Complete documentation to facilitate patient transfer to inpatient care (USARF and Petition).
• Collaborate with ER physicians, nurses, technicians, and psychiatry staff.
• Use de-escalation skills for crisis interventions.
• Provide psychoeducation and bedside interventions in the ED.
• Assist inpatient psychiatry on medical floors with assessments and linkage to care.
• Link patients to community resources and coordinate referrals.
• Gather collateral information to assess service needs and resources.
• Communicate significant information to supervisor and ensure timely updates.

Skills

Crisis risk assessment

Clinical judgment

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

De-escalation

Psychoeducation

Care linkage

Information gathering

Team player

Education

Master's degree in counseling or social work

LPHA licensure preferred

Tools

Cerner

SmartCare

Job description

Description

The Crisis Worker serves as a frontline behavioral health professional, providing crisis intervention and assessment services to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. Working within a hospital emergency department, this role conducts comprehensive risk assessments, determines appropriate levels of care, and coordinates referrals to treatment and community resources. The Crisis Worker collaborates closely with medical and psychiatric teams, applies sound clinical judgment in high-pressure situations, and supports patients through stabilization, education, and care planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs risk assessment in an emergency room setting in effort to determine appropriate disposition. Formulate a working diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment.
• Use clinical judgment to make quick decisions in high-stress situations with large volume of patients.
• Complete appropriate documentation in effort to facilitate patient transfer to inpatient facility, including USARF and Petition.
• Collaborate with medical professionals including Emergency Room Physicians, nurses, technicians, and psychiatry staff.
• Use de-escalation skills to assist in crisis interventions.
• Provide psychoeducation and bedside interventions to patients in the Emergency Department.
• Assist inpatient psychiatry team on medical floors with assessments and linkage to inpatient care.
• Assist in linkage by contacting appropriate resources, hospitals and agencies to link the patient to additional care.
• Gathers collateral information to assess the need for service, makes recommendations for treatment, identifies and investigates existing natural resources and supports.
• May be required to communicate significant information regarding members to other staff or leadership. Provides accurate and timely information to your supervisor on all topics and issues related to the operation of the agency and the well-being of members.
• Meets required billing targets and completes all documentation within assigned time frames in both SmartCare and Cerner.
• Participate in collaborative case discussions.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Shift Schedule: Tuesday thru Saturday 2:45pm - 11:15pm

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, or closely related field required.
• Licensed Professional in the Healing Arts (LPHA), such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) are preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with persons diagnosed with mental illness preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terms and ability to communicate with medical staff is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work as an effective team player.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive pay - Salary Range: $60,600.00 - $63,600.00 annually
  • Commensurate with experience and licensure
• Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
• Dental insurance, vision insurance,4 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal

Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to fostering an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency's mission. Click here to learn more.

One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities 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.