Engagement Specialist - Aurora, IL

Who is Gateway Foundation?

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to provide essential services to underserved populations, all while working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth, while embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion for every individual in every community. When you join us, you have the opportunity to find both personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

This position will be based out of Mercy Medical Center (Prime Healthcare) in Aurora, IL

Address: 1325 N. Highland Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506

Engagment Specialist Summary
Engagement Specialists are part of an onsite team of substance use professionals located directly within contracted hospitals to provide SBIRT services to patients with substance use. These services are part of a growing movement to address both the on-going opioid crisis and the prevalence of patients presenting with substance use concerns that lack connection to available resources post discharge.

Responsibilities:

• Engages patients with substance use directly within the hospital setting (Emergency Department, general medical floors, Intensive Care Unit, etc.) utilizing the SBIRT evidenced-based model of services.
• Completes screenings and provides brief intervention utilizing Motivational Interviewing practices to help patients identify goals.
• Collaboratively facilitates referrals to substance use treatment based on patient’s identified goals.
• Evaluates appropriateness of available treatment options with consideration of patient needs, available resources, and payment options to improve placement outcomes.
• Performs initial case management in order to facilitate referrals and patient admission to treatment. This includes but is not limited to: relaying information between the patient, appropriate hospital personnel, and treatment admissions staff; following up with various agencies about case progress; directing patient to additional services as needed; etc.
• Completes required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Promotes program services, background, and philosophy to hospital personnel.
• Develops professional-working relationships with hospital personnel to both enhance program awareness and capture an increased number of patients who could benefit from program services.
• Maintains regular communication with community resources to enhance opportunities for future referrals.
• Participates in various collaborative projects and meetings with current/potential community resources to facilitate outreach objectives.
• Identifies trends/patterns of referrals at that respective hospital and participates in process improvements to enhance referral outcomes.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, or mental health counseling; (OR) certification as a substance use counselor (CADC)
• Minimum of one-year related experience working in the substance use field preferred. Motivational Interviewing training/experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Clinical skills to identify and respond to both substance use and mental health symptoms/concerns.
• Master’s Degree and/or professional licensure welcomed (MA, LSW, LPC, LCSW, LCPC, etc.).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate with others through speech and hearing in order to exchange information, interact with patients, and complete phone calls.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and remain alert to traffic signs and conditions.
• Ability to walk around and be mobile throughout hospital sites while completing rounds and meeting with patients on various floors.
• Ability to lift and carry program equipment (book bag/rolling bag, laptop, paperwork packets) throughout the hospital setting.
• Ability to work independently at a site (hospital) with predominantly remote assistance from fellow colleagues and supervisors.

Compensation (based on experience and credentials) : 

• Hourly, non-exempt: $19.27 - $28.12/hr
• Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Benefits at Gateway Foundation:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here .