Lead Engagement Specialist - Springfield, Il

Are you looking to find personal and professional fulfillment, and align your career with your values? 

At Gateway Foundation, our employees have an opportunity to make a difference every day by helping people with substance abuse issues gain control of their lives.

Gateway Foundation is a recognized non-profit leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. Our experts in Addiction Medicine-including highly educated clinical and medical professionals and expert psychiatrists and nurses-deliver care that never stops. Throughout Gateway's proud history of helping others, dedicated and professional employees have been vital to accomplishing our life-saving mission. Read more about the incredible recognition that we received!

If you are a collaborative professional who shares our commitment to helping people with substance abuse and mental health issues turn their lives around - GATEWAY IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! 

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for delegating work to others as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor. This position provides community-based outreach services for individuals who are diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder.  Persons are assessed and referred to SUD services. Assists clients by using a Warm Hand Off Model based on brief screening assessment and motivational interviewing to engage client to transition to treatment referral.  

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delegates and monitors the work of Engagement Specialist and Recovery Coach staff in accordance with directives from Clinical Supervisor.
• Promotes Gateway programs to key personnel and develops appropriate contacts to enhance referrals by building more conducive and collaborative relationships.
• Serves as the Lead for multiple locations.  Performs Engagement Specialist duties in the absence of team members for assigned locations.
• Completes direct service including required paperwork related to screenings, intakes and assessments.
• Facilitates clinical portion of staff meeting to provide feedback on client cases.
• Maintains regular communication with referral sources to plan and coordinate treatment services, relay information on case progress, and respond to questions or concerns on program services including various options.
• Participates in a variety of collaborative projects and meetings with current and potential referral sources to facilitate outreach objectives. 
• Identifies and evaluates trends and patterns of referrals by participating in program/process improvements to enhance referral outcomes. This includes performing initial case management in order to facilitate program admission and retention (encouraging and motivating patients' participation and commitment to treatment, directing patients to additional services as needed and following up with various agencies and insurance carriers to resolve problems.)
• Provides initial training to new staff members including orientation.
• Performs other duties as they might be assigned, including providing back up when Program Director and Clinical Supervisor are unavailable. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalency required; Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling or Social work preferred.
• At least two (2) years of experience in human service delivery (previous work with people who have a history of mental illness/ substance use is a plus) demonstrating skills in developing positive and productive client relationships.  Some experience negotiating complex service systems to obtain services and resources for clients preferred.
• State credential such as a CADC, or Licensure suca as an LPC, LCPC, LSW, LCSW, or LMFT.
• Valid local driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced communication skills; and knowledge of mental health counseling techniques.
• Good Leadership skills.
• Ability to complete clinical assessments and related documentation, evaluate potential clients and appropriate program placement, and explain treatment options.
• Working knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental health disorders and how to access the various community resources available
• Working knowledge of community resources to address treatment of mental health issues.
• Basic knowledge of the methods and modalities related to treating mental health disorders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Strong customer service skills, understanding of importance to keep patient information confidential is essential.
• Ability to analyze data and working across multiple software platforms (e.g. Excel, Access) for data input and database management.
• Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.
• Demonstrates desire and determination in achieving long term and short-term goals and objectives of the company.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, write, and understand and follow written instructions
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with patients.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in an office or clinical environment where there are relatively few discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like.  Occasional exposure to contagious diseases, but potential for harm is limited if established safety precautions and infection control procedures are followed. 
• Exposure to inclement weather, hazards when driving or various neighborhoods, when traveling to various locations, but the potential for harm is limited if safe vehicle operation procedures are followed.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: 

Gateway Foundation values its employees and provides an inclusive and diverse work environment where dedicated employees can make a difference. We are committed to engaging and rewarding our employees in meaningful ways. For eligible employees, we provide a Total Rewards Package that includes:

• Health Insurance - Including a wellness premium incentive opportunity
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off - Including 18 days of PTO and 9 paid holidays in the first year
• Catastrophic Absence Time (CAT) - Accrue up to seven days annually, to be used during an extended personal illness
• Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Commuter Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match 
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Gateway is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Training & Development Programs

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.