988 Crisis Counselor - Part Time
NAMI Chicago
Chicago, IL
Description Type : Part-Time Reports to: 988 Crisis Supervisor Office Location: Work from home position (not a remote “work from anywhere” role). Must maintain a private, confidential workspace in your home within the Chicago area and be able to attend in-person trainings and meetings at our Chicago office (224 W. Hill Street, Suite 410, Chicago, IL) as requested. Shifts Available
- Saturday 11:45 PM – 8:15 AM on Sunday and Sunday 11:45 PM – 8:15 AM on Monday.
- 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).
- Company sponsored wellness activities.
- 401k Retirement plan.
- Paid leave and wellness leave.
Posted 2026-02-26
Recommended Jobs
Cosmetology or Esthetics Teacher - Substitute
Tricoci University
Chicago, IL
Join Tricoci University of Beauty Culture as a Substitute Esthetics Teacher! About Us: Tricoci University is a renowned leader in beauty education, recognized as the School of the Year in 2022 a…
View Details
Posted 2026-01-14
Leasing Specialist
B & A Associates, LLC
Lisle, IL
Full-Time, Base + Commission. The Villages on Maple located in Lisle, Illinois is managed by B & A Property Group, based here in the Greater Chicago Land area; is looking for an individual who i…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-24
Veterinarian J706994
Pekin, IL
Discover a transformative career opportunity in veterinary medicine with a competitive salary of up to $160,000 plus a generous sign-on bonus! The Hospital Join a state-of-the-art veterinary cent…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-27
Local CDL A Company Driver - 1st Shift
Acme Transportation Company
Alsip, IL
Acme Transportation Company is looking for Local CDL A Intermodal Drivers for our 1st shift positions. Ready to make a change to a company with longetivity and job security? Do you want to be home da…
View Details
Posted 2026-01-12
Senior Tax Associate
DUGGAN BERTSCH, LLC
Chicago, IL
Senior Tax Associate Join DBTA and become part of a dynamic team that thrives on tackling complex tax challenges. We offer a collaborative environment where your expertise is valued, your skills a…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-06
Server
Study Hotels
Chicago, IL
Truth be Told , our British Gastropub, located inside The Study at the University of Chicago in the beautiful Hyde Park, is currently seeking a full-time Server with flex availability. Our hours of…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-12
Virtual Sales Internship 2026 - Campus Ink
Campus Ink
Chicago, IL
Campus Ink is excited to offer a virtual sales internship program for the summer of 2025. We are looking for students that are currently enrolled in a college or university. This program is designed …
View Details
Posted 2026-02-12
Title Insurance | Commercial Coordinator | NYC-Hybrid/Remote
Godot Consulting Group
Chicago, IL
A large and leading Title Insurance company is searching for a talented and experienced Commercial Coordinator to join their dynamic team by way of New York City. The perfect candidate will bring wit…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-21
Truck Drivers Class A 1400 to 1650 per week Home Weekly 1500 signon bonus
Vision Truck Line
Champaign, IL
Job Description Vision Truck Line an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) Compensation: $1400 ~ $1650 per week -- $1500 sign-on bonus Home Weekly - ( Out for 5 days & home for 2 day…
View Details
Posted 2026-02-19
Service Engineer - CNC/Machine Tool
Phillips Corporation
Chicago, IL
We're looking for a new service engineer on our team who wants to be the absolute best in the business. You'll do more than just fix machines, you'll also build great relationships with every person …
View Details
Posted 2026-02-25