ACI Crisis Counselor

Job Summary

BJK People’s Health Center provides comprehensive mental health services to children and adults in the northern and central parts of the City of St. Louis and North St, Louis City. A professional mental health staff serves a growing caseload of 2,800 patients, of which greater than ninety‐five percent are chronically mentally ill and suffering from major psychiatric disorders. Hopewell Center operates a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center and a Comprehensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center for adults and youth.

Many services are provided at schools, and Emergency services, including a crisis bed and mobile outreach, are available twenty‑four hours per day. A multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers, educators, and support staff work diligently to carry out the mission of providing comprehensive care to patients and their families.

• Knowledge of community resources including psychiatry, substance use, medical, and/or other community services to link those in acute crisis.
• Assess children, adolescents, and/or adults in psychiatric crisis for hospitalization and facilitate hospitalization at the location of need.
• Provide crisis counseling and coordination to help stabilize the current psychiatric crisis if the client does not meet criteria for inpatient hospitalization.
• Maintain client record in the electronic health record in accordance with licensure and accreditation standards.
• Attend agency and DMH required trainings (De‑escalation, Crisis Safety Planning, Mobile Crisis).
• Provide training to new staff on mobile crisis screening events as needed.
• Provide intensive short‑term community‑based counseling and case management services to clients.
• Community outreach.
• Complete application for benefits (as needed).
• Maintain completion of screening and progress notes within 72 business hours.
• Work to ensure safety with the person in crisis until follow‑up care is in place.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team and community partners to support and stabilize individuals in need of on‑site crisis support.
• Follow up on all clients assessed as urgent or emergent after assessment to ensure proper care is provided.
• Monitor clients evaluated to be at risk of suicide and place them on the Care Path, ensuring they receive proper contact and follow‑up as clinically indicated.
• Be aware of all clients who are hospitalized, ensuring discharge planning is completed and follow‑up is provided post‑hospitalization, including linkage to the client’s provider and provision of hospitalization records.
• Perform any other duties assigned within the scope of the job responsibilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, etc. Master’s degree preferred (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or Psychiatric Nursing) QMHP.
• At least 2 years of employment history in mental/behavioral health with crisis experience preferred.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the employee is assigned.
• Understanding of the problems encountered by persons with mental illness and how to assess the various community resources available.
• Capability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively to produce clear and concise reports.

• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the employee is assigned.
• Understanding of the problems encountered by persons with mental illness and how to assess the various community resources available.
• Capability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively to produce clear and concise reports.

Entry level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider

Hospitals and Health Care