What are the responsibilities and job description for the Counselor - Community Support Team position at Kenneth Young Center?
Counselor - Community Support Team
Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.
Kenneth Young Center offers a robust benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:
- 403(b) plan with organizational matching
- Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois - BCBS)
- Dental (BCBS), and Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low employee premiums
- Long Term and Short Term Disability (BCBS), no cost to employee
- Flexible Spending Account (with annual rollover)
- Basic life insurance (50k) paid for by the organization and option for additional voluntary coverage for self, spouse, or dependents (BCBS)
- Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses
- Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)
- Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, KYC also offers a generous amount of paid time off and staff holidays.
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (With increases based on seniority)
- 8 Paid Organization-Wide Holidays
- 3 Personal Floating Holidays annually
Job Scope: Provide intensive, recovery-oriented behavioral health services to adults living in the community with serious mental illness as part of a Team-based Community Support Team (CST). This position provides a mixture of therapy, crisis intervention, community support, and case management depending on a client’s needs, and coordinate a range of individual and group treatment services that target assessed areas of functional impairment and promote independence through the development and use of natural community supports. Treatment services are delivered at flexible times that meet clients’ needs and in settings that offer the best potential for positive outcomes, including in-home, in-office, at Permanent Supportive Housing buildings, and in community-based settings.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide in-person supportive therapy, case management, community support, crisis intervention and stabilization services to CST clients
- Complete comprehensive mental health assessments, crisis plans, and service plans to clients assigned to CST using IM-CANS
- Facilitate referrals for additional services consistent with assessed needs and consumer’s desired outcomes
- Participate in team-based services to improve client ADLS and independent living skills
- Promote physical health, address substance use issues, establish access to entitlements, and develop skills to support participants engaging fully in their lives and communities
- Provide support to clients who are unhoused or residing in temporary housing to locate permanent housing as part of their comprehensive treatment plan
- Meet regularly with CST members to integrate care provision and share clinical responsibilities so that adequate coverage is available to clients at all times
- Promote symptom stabilization thru medication monitoring, education, and assisting participants to take as prescribed
- Coordinate with Comprehensive Transition Team and Front Door Team members to support transitions to more independent living
- Routinely consult with other KYC Team members including front door, comprehensive transition team, vocational, intensive recovery group, substance use, outpatient therapy, and psychiatry to address specific client related clinical issues and coordinate care strategies
- Promote opportunities for clients to build natural systems of support within their communities through exposure to recreational, spiritual, educational, vocational, volunteer and civic activities
- Participate with other CST members in rotating 24/7 coverage of on-call crisis and stabilization coverage, pending MHP credential
Administrative and Performance Requirements
- Work with Community Support Team Supervisor, Program Assistant, and Team members to assess, plan, and participate in provision of services
- Meet productivity target estimated at 45-55% billable service
- Participate in supervision as directed and seek additional clinical and program consultation as needed
- Participate in All Staff meetings, Department meetings, Team meetings, and other staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor
- Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Center policies and procedures
- Complete all clinical documentation and required reports in an accurate and timely manner following KYC policies
- Meet agency quality and compliance standards
Work Environment
- A majority of the employee’s time will be spent in the community, driving to and from client homes and providing services in client’s homes
- In supporting clients to live independently, employee may be exposed to varying home conditions
- Opportunity for limited remote work from home hours, up to 10 hours per week depending on team coverage and other needs
Education, Experience and Other Requirements
- Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or a related discipline preferred. Bachelor's Degree in related field considered with previous experience. Must meet Illinois Rule 140 requirements for MHP (Mental Health Professional).
- Preferred 2 years experience working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness providing a variety of clinical interventions including case management and community support
- Preferred exposure to working in non-traditional treatment environments i.e.in-home, residential, hospital, nursing facility, and community settings
- Basic technology, smartphone, and computer proficiency; knowledge of web-based team communication tools (ex. Microsoft Teams), electronic health records, typing, telehealth programs, text messaging, and internet skills
- Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License and daily access to a well maintained/insured vehicle
Schedule
- Full-time, Exempt, 37.5 hours per week
- Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of the target population served, including evening and/or Saturday hours.
- Participate in rotating on-call schedule to ensure 24/7 coverage. (Additional stipend pay provided per shift)
Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer