Mobile Crisis Worker - North Side

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous PTO

Dental and vision insurance

Medical insurance plans

403(b) retirement plan with employer 3

Employee assistance program

Mileage reimbursement

Public service loan forgiveness

Clinical licensure supervision

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Crisis Worker to respond to mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities of Chicago. You will work as part of the Mobile Crisis Response Team, providing safe, least-restrictive interventions and connecting clients to essential services.

Responsibilities include answering crisis hotline calls, performing rapid safety assessments, and, when needed, meeting clients for in-person support with a Peer Engagement Specialist.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 5 years of supervised clinical experience (or higher degrees)
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field (preferred)
• Valid driver’s license and daily vehicle access preferred

Responsibilities

• Answer crisis hotline calls and conduct safety assessments
• Connect callers to a service or provide in-person intervention when needed
• Meet callers at home, workplace, or community location with a Peer Engagement Specialist
• Document services provided and follow up with clients as needed
• Participate in professional development and supervision

Skills

Empathy, compassion

Crisis intervention

Communication

Problem solving

Documentation

Time management

Driving

Education

HS diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Psychology/Social Work or related field

Master's degree in Psychology/Social Work or related field

Job description

Use your clinical skills to be a part of transforming the crisis care system! Like a physical health crisis, a mental health crisis can be devastating for individuals, families, and communities. Thresholds Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is committed to providing services and supports to best meet the needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. As a Crisis Worker, you will respond to mental health crises in the Uptown, Lakeview, and North Center communities, acting as an alternative to or in conjunction with hospitalization or police response.

Each shift, you will answer calls to our crisis hotline and conduct a quick yet robust safety assessment to determine what response is needed. You may connect the caller to an appropriate service or provider, or if a face-to-face intervention is necessary, you and a Peer Engagement Specialist will meet the caller at home, their workplace, or another location in the community. As a pair, you will assist the person in crisis with the least restrictive intervention possible. This can look like anything from walking someone through a panic attack to assisting them with hospitalization.

Community interventions occur year-round, in all weather conditions. The team may also distribute basic necessities to individuals in crisis, such as first aid items, water, or warm clothes. After responding to the crisis, you will offer a follow-up to the client based on their needs as well as document the services provided. During downtime between calls, you will have the opportunity to focus on professional development through self-directed projects and community outreach efforts.

The culture at Thresholds is collaborative and supportive, providing you with the tools and resources you need for the best client care. Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision, will deepen your knowledge and expand your clinical skills in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based practices. This invaluable experience will set you up for a variety of career paths and growth opportunities within our organization.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time and occasionally traverse long distances and ascend/descend multiple flights of stairs.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• Passion for mental health advocacy
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to problem-solve
• Good writing skills
• Strong time management and organization
• To be at least 23 years old
• A valid driver's license (having daily access to a vehicle preferred)
• Ability to work one of the assigned schedules:
  • Every Saturday 6:45A-3:15P (1st Shift)
  • Every Saturday 10:45P-7:15A (Overnight)
  • Every Sunday 2:45P-11:15P

Many education and experience paths are eligible for this role:

• High school diploma or GED certificate and 5 years of supervised clinical experience
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and 2 years of supervised clinical experience
• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

What sets Thresholds apart:

• Competitive pay - Base Rate: $26.50 - $30.00 per hour
  • Based on education, experience, and licensure
• Generous PTO
• Dental insurance, vision insurance,3 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Public service loan forgiveness
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)

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.

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.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.