LOCATION: John H. Stroger Hospital

SHIFT: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

Job Summary

The Behavioral Health Specialist will enhance Cook County Health's (CCH) supportive services delivery within its homelessness and housing programing. In partnership with community-based nonprofit housing organizations, the Behavioral Health Specialist works throughout Chicago and Cook County as a part of an integrated supportive housing team. The position will supplement community behavioral health services for people exiting homelessness that are living in their own home and receiving other housing support. The position will support the Chicago Cook County Flexible Housing Pool that provides supportive housing to over 300 individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness and have used CCH emergency department and/or Cermak Health Services and provide secondary support to other CCH Housing Department investments including the Medical Respite Center in Oak Park.

This position is grant funded until December 31, 2026.

Typical Duties

* Receives referrals or service assignments from the Flexible Housing Pool Housing Coordination Agency in partnership with CCH Housing Department

* Conducts intake behavioral health assessments and administer other assessment measures for the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) and/or Medical Respite Center (MRC)

* Establishes a supportive, motivational, and therapeutic relationship with program participants

* Provides solution-focused short-term interventions to assist Housing participants in developing healthy coping mechanisms

* Provides consultation and training to Housing staff to enhance their skill in providing behavioral health support

* Works closely with individuals to make a treatment plan and appropriate referrals

* Collaborates with Housing Tenancy Support Specialist services

* Participates in team meetings of the Flexible Housing Pool outreach and housing team

* Assists with coordinating on-going referrals to Assertive Community Treatment teams or other community mental health agencies, when capacity is available

* Completes assessments, brief intervention therapy, and motivational interviewing at a designated or approved location throughout the community or at a residence

* Develops individual relapse prevention and safety plans and delivers relapse/overdose prevention and intervention such as Narcan utilization, harm reduction interventions, and referrals to substance use treatment and crisis resources, as needed

* Attends and participates in program and agency meetings and in-service trainings

* Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

* Master's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university is required (Official transcript due at the time of interview)

* Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and/or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is required

* Two (2) years of work experience in the mental health field with one (1) year of experience completing mental health assessment on adult populations is required

* Experience providing case management in a racially and ethnically diverse environment is required

* Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) is required

* Must be eligible to successfully complete Credentialing is required

Preferred Qualifications

* Master's degree or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences or a closely related field is preferred (Official transcript due at the time of interview)

* Experience in providing crisis interventions is preferred

* Certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) is preferred

* Bilingual is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

* Working knowledge of community resources available to mental health and/or substance abuse programs

* Knowledge of: Social Determinants of Health; harm reduction techniques; or willingness to learn Housing First Model; impact of housing insecurity on mental health

* Proficiency in maintaining highly-detailed, efficient and accurate work-related documentation and record keeping; possess attention to detail

* Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups Demonstrates a collaborative attitude in support of mental health services, recovery, and Cook County Health's philosophy and mission.

* Possess a strong sense of compassion, patience, and an interest in being of service to an underserved population

* Possess a strong orientation towards equity measures, particularly within behavioral health

* Demonstrates a collaborative attitude in support of mental health services, and recovery

* Ability to present information in a training capacity for various stakeholders

* Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing

* Demonstrates use of ethics and complies with the standards of practice

* Ability to meet prescribed deadlines

* Ability to be flexible in work location(s), which may be subject to change

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

* Meet the minimum qualifications for the position .

* Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"

* Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.