Intake Specialist (Days)

Intake Specialist—Day Shift

Overview

Northern Hope Center is seeking a dedicated Intake Specialist to join our mental and behavioral health team. The Intake Specialist serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking services during daytime operating hours.

This position coordinates the intake process, gathers required information, identifies immediate needs, and connects clients with appropriate staff and services. The Intake Specialist supports adults experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, developmental disabilities, trauma, homelessness, or other barriers to care.

Responsibilities

• Complete structured intake interviews and initial screenings using approved forms and procedures.
• Gather demographic, medical, behavioral health, substance use, medication, and emergency-contact information.
• Identify urgent medical, behavioral health, suicide-risk, or safety concerns and notify clinical staff immediately.
• Support licensed clinical staff with assessments, risk evaluations, and individualized service planning.
• Enter accurate intake, referral, consent, and service information into the Electronic Health Record.
• Maintain complete and confidential records in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and Northern Hope Center policies.
• Use trauma-informed communication, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and crisis-management techniques.
• Explain available services, program expectations, participant rights, confidentiality protections, and grievance procedures.
• Coordinate referrals and care with clinicians, case managers, peer specialists, employment specialists, medical providers, and community partners.
• Assist clients with accessing mental health treatment, substance use services, housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and other resources.
• Coordinate daytime admissions from hospitals, law enforcement, emergency responders, community agencies, and walk-in clients.
• Document declined services, referrals, safety concerns, incidents, and follow-up needs.
• Participate in team meetings, case coordination, and shift-change communication.
• Maintain an organized, secure, and welcoming intake area.
• Complete additional duties assigned within the position’s training and scope.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social services, human services, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, crisis services, healthcare, social services, peer support, intake, or case management is preferred.
• Experience working with adults with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, trauma histories, or developmental disabilities is beneficial.
• Knowledge of crisis-intervention, suicide-risk, and de-escalation procedures is preferred.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and behavioral health services is beneficial.
• Experience using Electronic Health Record systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral health terminology and ICD-10 documentation is beneficial.
• Ability to collect information, maintain records, and complete documentation accurately.
• Strong verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to protect confidential information and maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to manage several responsibilities in a fast-paced daytime service environment.
• CPR, First Aid, naloxone-response, and crisis-intervention training are preferred or must be completed after hire.

The Intake Specialist helps ensure that each client receives a respectful, organized, and timely connection to Northern Hope Center’s services.

Pay: $24.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $27