Qualified Mental Health Professional/Clinician- Crisis Response

Description

Job Title: Qualified Mental Health Professional/Clinician- Crisis Response

Department: Mental Health- 590 Program (Crisis Response)

Reports to: Mental Health Program Director 

Job Type: Full Time, Salary, Exempt,

Job Location: Chicagoland locations 

Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000

Rincon - Building Spaces, Restoring Communities - Who we are:

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing to advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families. 

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

The Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive, client-centered behavioral health services. The QMHP supports individuals experiencing behavioral health crises through crisis consultation, safety planning, treatment and resource linkage, case management, and referrals to appropriate community-based services.

The QMHP collaborates with team members and community partners to address clients’ mental health, substance use, physical health, benefits and entitlements, and other supportive service needs. The QMHP may also provide direct clinical and supportive services based on client needs, program requirements, and professional scope of practice.

The role emphasizes timely crisis response, individualized support, collaborative care, connection to treatment and community resources, and helping clients achieve stability and ongoing recovery. Additionally, the QMHP will participate in community outreach activities to increase awareness of the agency’s services, engage individuals who may benefit from behavioral health support, strengthen community connections, and develop collaborative partnerships with other agencies and service providers.

Company Culture - Do Our Values Speak to You?

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication- Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care. 
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

Assessment, Evaluations & Treatment Planning

• Conduct and document a holistic, trauma informed, relevant and compliant Integrated Assessment (e.g. IM+CANS), which may include a mental status exam, LOCUS and supporting assessment tools/metrics that lead to a recommended diagnosis, to be confirmed by an appropriately licensed individual. 
• Evaluate clients for risk of harm and respond appropriately, including through development of safety plans. 
• Utilize and/or assist clients in completing other metric-based evaluations to assess symptomology. 
• In collaboration with the client and their identified support network, develop and document an integrated, individualized treatment plan based on the assessment to recommend appropriate services to move the client toward their identified goals. 
• Based on client need or in compliance with regulations, review client’s Integrated Assessment and Treatment Plan (IATP). 
• Responding to mental-health crises in the community or other designated settings.
• Providing brief crisis intervention, de-escalation, emotional support, and stabilization.
• Coordinating with hospitals, law enforcement, EMS, mobile crisis teams, and other providers when necessary.
  

Service Delivery

• Provide appropriate evidence based behavioral health approaches, including for co-occurring substance use disorders and crisis intervention, in different formats, (individual, family, group), as indicated on each client’s Integrated Assessment & Treatment Plan (IATP), staying within the scope of your practice. 
• Services and support are to be provided in ways that respect each client’s dignity and are compliant with payer, licensing or accreditation billing procedures, or any other requirements.  
• Coordinate care with other service providers, both internal and external to the agency, as appropriate and based on their IATP. 
• Monitor to ensure that the health and safety needs of our clients are met. 
• Providing services in potentially unpredictable environments and responding to crises on-call or during nontraditional hours, depending on the agency.
• Participate in weekly community outreach activities to increase awareness of the agency’s services, engage individuals who may benefit from behavioral health support, strengthen community connections, and develop collaborative partnerships with other agencies and service providers.

Supervision and Oversight

• Supervise, mentor or provide clinical support and guidance for other mental health staff or paraprofessionals.
• Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the IATP and all regulatory standards.
• Participate in regular supervision from an RFS LPHA, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary. The minimum requirement is an hour of documented supervision a month.  

Documentation and Compliance

• Services are to be documented in the clients’ files within 48hrs of service delivery. 
• Maintain client records that meet documentation standards of the agency and all regulatory standards. 
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed. 
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to Corporate Compliance policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EHR access. This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of Corporate Compliance or outside provider's health records to the Corporate Compliance Legal and Quality departments, as well as to the program administrator. 

Professional Development

• Complete all agency and other regulatory body required trainings, including but not limited to the following topics: state administrative rules, sexual harassment, fraud waste and abuse, mandated reporter, clinical courses, diagnosis and other requirements. 
• Complete all trainings required to keep any licenses or certifications relevant to your position. 

Community Engagement

• Participate in outreach activities necessary to offer services, engage participation in a non-coercive manner and increase opportunities for professional development.  
• Advocate for the clients and agency within the broader health and social service systems. 
• Some services may be in the community and pursuant to specific program requirements.
• All other duties as assigned. 

Rincon Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Health insurance 
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance 
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable. 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Professional Development Opportunities 
• Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits

Rincon’s Work Environment – What to expect:

Physical Demands: The Clinician must be able to successfully perform essential functions of this job including carry charts to and from their offices/desks, prepare for group activities that may entail moving chairs and/or tables, carrying bags/boxes of food or decorating group activity areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are responsible for informing supervisor of any invisible disability or medical restriction that limit physical capability. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There may be occasions that call for an employee to carry out duties at other agency offices or within the community. Staff must be willing and able to travel as required for the role, sometimes within the same day, utilizing accessible and reliable transportation options. Staff must demonstrate flexibility and independence in coordinating travel arrangements, including the use of public transit, rideshare services, or other accommodations to ensure timely and effective mobility.

Schedule:

• QMHP must be available 24/7
• Some positions may be required to travel to various sites within the same day, or throughout the week.

Requirements

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Understanding and ability to ethically practice within your scope, evidence based clinical models (CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, etc..), including crisis intervention for behavioral health and substance use. 
• Excellent listening and communication skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make all clients and support structures feel safe. 
• Ability to engage a range of clients in a clinical and respectful manner. 
• Ability to practice and/or train in de-escalation methods.
• Understanding of the basic behavioral health needs common to the community areas being served, including co-occurring disorders, and how to serve their recovery. 
• Understanding internal and external community, medical and supportive services within the community.
• Ability to adapt, connect and collaborate across differences. 
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups. 
• Desire to learn new skills. 
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork, efficiently and effectively. 

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role: 

• Master's degree in social work, Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy with 1,000+ hours of clinical experience required. 
• IM+CANS certification preferred.
• Current Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification preferred. 
• As evidenced by previous work experience, academic background, and in-service or other training, the Clinician shall demonstrate a strong understanding of how to:  
• Identify precipitating events. 
• Gather holistic, trauma-informed, relevant histories of mental, emotional and physical abilities, substance use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts. 
• Assess family, social and work relationships. 
• Conduct and document a mental status assessment. 
• Utilize appropriate additional diagnostic tools for metrics.
• Document recommended DSM diagnosis. 
• Write, implement and supervise implementation of an integrated treatment plan. 
• Provide mental health treatment and rehabilitative services within one's scope of practice. 
• Must pass required pre-employment background checks. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit. 
• Full time use of a properly licensed and insured automobile with a valid driver’s license and ability to drive, or independence in travel arrangements. 
• Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.