Community Engagement Specialist

Pillars Community Health - Berwyn, IL

Berwyn, IL

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

This position works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The role involves acting as a mental health peer specialist, utilizing de-escalation techniques, supporting the development of crisis safety plans, and coordinating immediate and post-crisis follow-up care as necessary. The CES assists individuals living with mental illness to identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience. The position requires earning the CRSS credential, which is essential for providing peer-to-peer mental health, rehabilitation, and substance abuse services.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to support the team's response either in person or virtually to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Provides on-site assessment within 60 minutes.
• Triages and dispatches telephone calls that come through the crisis line to the appropriate staff or department as needed.
• Assists in utilizing de-escalation techniques in coordination with the MCR Therapist.
• Utilizes own lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport and strengthen engagement.
• Supports positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health Crisis programs.
• May carry a small caseload for post-crisis follow-up activities.
• Completes required crisis, de-escalation, and position trainings and certifications.
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to client privacy laws.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of all communities and cultures.
• Completes required documentation within established timeframes.
• Participates in specific program meetings and required trainings.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorders services.
• At least one (1) year of experience working in behavioral health, social services, human services or other related field.
• Crisis intervention experience preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in behavioral health or social services.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.

Benefits

• Hourly rate for crisis calls.
• Stipend for each on-call shift.
• Regular rate for training and calls through 9 PM.
• Premium rate for calls between 9 PM-8 AM M-F and on weekend shifts.