Community Engagement Specialist

SUMMARY

Works with the Mobile Crisis Response team to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This position works as a mental health peer specialist and supports the crisis response by utilizing de‑escalation techniques, supporting the development of crisis safety plans, and coordinating immediate and post crisis follow‑up care as necessary. Assists individuals living with mental illness to identify and achieve specific life goals by utilizing unique insights gained through personal recovery experience.

Utilizes experience to facilitate and support the recoveries of others and to help shape systems of care.

For on‑call shifts, the Community Engagement Specialist must provide on‑site assessment within 60 minutes. PCH is centralized in Berwyn, but staff travel north up to Oak Park, east to Cicero, south to Justice and west to La Grange. Most assessments on the weekend are at one of our four emergency rooms:
West Suburban, Rush Oak Park, La Grange Memorial and Mac Neal.

• Triages and dispatches telephone calls that come through the crisis line to the appropriate staff or department as needed. This is done on a rotating schedule.
• Assists in utilizing de‑escalation techniques, in coordination with the MCR Clinician, with clients experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Utilizes own lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services to establish rapport, share experiences and strengthen engagement with the individuals that have experienced a mental health crisis.
• Supports positive recovery behaviors with clients in Behavioral Health Crisis programs with a focus on identifying client strengths and needs, and linking individuals to additional resources and support systems to mitigate future crisis episodes.
• May carry a small caseload for post‑crisis follow‑up activities that include skill building and case management to clients with high need.
• 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 time frames, through use of an Electronic Client Record.
• Participates in specific program meetings, including required staff, line of service, and organizational meetings, and required trainings, and consultations.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED). Position requires one to be a 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.

This position encourages one to work toward earning the CRSS credential. The Certified Recovery Support Specialist (“CRSS”) professional is trained to share and incorporate their own unique personal life experiences as a current or former consumer of mental health or combined mental illness and substance use disorders services, in providing peer‑to‑peer mental health, rehabilitation, and substance abuse services.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work environment may include client homes and a general office environment. Local travel, including transporting clients, is required.

Must…