Diversion Specialist

Pay Range: $22.89 - $26.32 /hr Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Office Location: 1607 W Howard St. Chicago IL 60626 The Front Door Diversion is an Illinois State grant funded program designed to ‘divert’ individuals back to the community from an inpatient psychiatric or other institutional setting in lieu of a nursing home placement. The program offers an array of services with the diverting agency such as community mental health supports through an integrated healthcare model and long-term housing supports through transitional programs or subsidy services. The Diversion Specialist is responsible for providing case management supports and linkage to long-term services and housing to clients eligible for the Front Door Diversion program. They will determine eligibility for programming through completion of intakes and assessments, provide treatment planning, and short-term, solution-focused case management and linkage to long-term housing to adults with mental illness. The Diversion Specialist will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with severe mental illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse/addiction disorders utilizing a harm reduction approach. Job Responsibilities: Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits. Screen Front Door referrals and determine eligibility for services and participation in the program Provide intake, assessments, and treatment planning services. Recognize and act on opportunities to move clients to appropriate levels of care. Provide care coordination that supports an integrated health model and make referrals to additional services as needed. Assist clients in identifying signs and symptoms of de-compensation. Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced. Provide medication monitoring services and education around the use and care of medications. Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills; i.e. personal hygiene, housekeeping skills, nutrition, and shopping for food and personal items Educate and assist clients with applying for entitlements; i.e. Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and LINK Accompany clients to important appointments in the community and provide support with issues related to housing, substance use, budgeting, social support, and medication. Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate on behalf of themselves when appropriate Provide on-call coverage and immediate crisis intervention as needed Communicate effectively with the team for purposes of consultation and information sharing Complete all documentation in a timely and thorough manner Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned Qualifications: Must have one of the following requirements:   Bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field  Bachelor's degree in any other field with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting  Licensed Practical Nurse under the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65]  Certificate of Psychiatric Rehabilitation from a DHS-approved program, a high school diploma/GED, and two years’ experience of experience in a mental health setting  CRSS certification through IAODAPCA  Family Partnership Professional certificate from and in good standing with IAODAPCA  Occupational Therapy Assistant licensed under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act [225 ILCS 75] with one-year experience in a mental health setting;  High school diploma or GED and five years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting  Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling highly preferred Minimum one year of experience working with people with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred IM+CANS certification preferred Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance Benefits : FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees PAID Maternity/Paternity leave Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL) Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Pet Insurance FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit) Telemedicine EAP 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match