988 Crisis Counselor - Part Time
NAMI Chicago
Chicago, IL
Description Type : Part-Time Reports to: 988 Crisis Supervisor Office Location: Fully remote position. Must be based in and working the Chicago area and available to come to the Chicago office (224 W. Hill Street, Suite 410, Chicago, IL) as requested for in-person trainings and meetings. Shifts Available*: Two shifts available: Overnight Shift: Friday, Saturday & Sunday , 11:45 PM - 8:15 AM Background Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey. Who We Are
- An employer who prioritizes your wellness
- An employer who supports your growth
- An employer who sees and acknowledges all of you
- An employer who educates and advocates for mental health while sharing hope with those on their mental health journey or supporting individuals on their mental health journey
- Highly empathetic
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills
- Provide crisis intervention: Respond to incoming calls to the 988 Lifeline, offering immediate support and intervention for individuals in emotional distress while following the 988 Lifeline Suicide Safety Policy standards.
- Active Listening: Practice empathetic listening skills to understand callers’ emotions, concerns, and needs.
- Assessment: Conduct assessments of callers’ safety and level of risk, utilizing established protocols and guidelines such as the 988 Lifeline’s Safety Assessment Model with the assessment of the Four Core Principles of Safety Assessment. This may involve supporting a person who is at imminent risk of harm to self or others.
- Crisis De-escalation: Utilize de-escalation techniques to help callers regain a sense of control and stability during times of crisis.
- Safety Planning: Collaborate with callers to develop safety plans, identifying coping strategies and supportive resources to manage crises effectively.
- Empowerment: Empower individuals to explore their own strengths and coping mechanisms, fostering a sense of agency and resilience.
- Resource Referrals: Offer access to appropriate mental health services, including mobile crisis teams, emergency departments and community resources using a vetted referral list provided by NAMI Chicago.
- Documentation: Using NAMI Chicago’s client record management system, maintain accurate and confidential records of all interactions with callers, adhering to privacy regulations and organizational policies. Systems require significant computer use and skills.
- Confidentiality: Respects each caller’s privacy rights under HIPAA and other applicable laws and regulations.
- Follow-up: Schedule and/or make follow-up contact with help seekers for continued support at a date and time collaborated on by a crisis counselor and help seeker.
- Collaboration: Coordinate with other crisis response professionals, including mental health clinicians, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel, to ensure comprehensive support for callers.
- Adherence to Protocols: Follow established protocols and procedures for crisis intervention, documentation, and escalation of emergencies.
- Continuous Training: Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance crisis intervention skills and stay updated on best practices for crisis support.
- Communication and Teamwork: Communicate effectively and frequently throughout shift with supervisors and crisis team staff; can promptly alert supervisor of concerns and seek guidance/support when needed. Embodies NAMI Chicago’s team approach by participating in on-shift huddles, weekly coaching sessions, team and organizational meetings, supporting co-workers, and attending scheduled trainings.
- Wellness: Be an active participant in your wellness plan and effectively communicate your need for support. Adhere to the organization’s Wellness policy.
- Other duties as assigned
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling or other related fields required; Master’s preferred
- In lieu of the education requirement, a minimum of four years of professional experience providing counseling and case management services to individuals/families experiencing homelessness or other related populations may be considered.
- Minimum of 1-5 years of relevant experience providing counseling, crisis, or case management with individuals or families experiencing behavioral health crisis (i.e., suicidal ideations, psychotic presentations, SUD/OUD, etc.).
- Experience in telephonic outreach, crisis, and case management.
- Familiar with community resources and how to work with law enforcement and other community organizations (i.e., Hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc.).
- Experience with vulnerable populations.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with individuals in distress.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Including a clear and expressive speaking voice.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-stress environment.
- Ability to work effectively and stay focused in an environment with regular interruptions.
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to function successfully in an environment requiring immediate response to urgent situations.
- Exhibits empathy, compassion, and a non-judgmental attitude towards individuals experiencing mental health crises, with a commitment to serving underrepresented and vulnerable populations, including social and racial/ethnic minorities, as well as those living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
- Willing to work in a diverse environment regarding race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender.
- Familiarity with Chicagoland resources and mental health services.
- Excellent self-awareness and commitment to prioritizing your wellness.
- Exceptional ability to multi-task and excellent organizational skills. This includes attention to detail, problem-solving, and time management.
- Previous experience at a suicide and crisis hotline
- Certification in crisis intervention or suicide prevention
- Strong computer and technology skills. You will be working across several different platforms simultaneously and a strong foundation will make adjusting and troubleshooting platforms easier.
- Typing speed of at least 35-40 WPM
- Current ASIST or SafeTALK certification (In-house SafeTALK training provided quarterly)
- Attend quarterly all team meeting on the first Monday of the first month of the quarter (July, October, January, and April) from 3-4 PM.
- During the second and third month of every quarter, attend one virtual team meeting on the first Monday from 3-4 PM or second Thursday from 8-9 AM.
- Must have a private, confidential space to work from in your home that is free of distractions for the duration of your shift. Must be able to work over a private, secure, password protected internet connection with a minimum speed of 300 Mbps (10 Mbps upload).
Posted 2025-12-10
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