Clinical Therapist

Chicago, US

Job description

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, more than 7,000 low-income neighbors will also receive case management and social services.

Position Summary:

This position’s primary responsibility is to oversee and implement all clinical mental health outpatient services provided through Nourishing Hope’s Headquarters location, including, but not limited to: client outreach, direct service through scheduled appointments, and facilitating referrals through the social services team by focusing on individuals in the BIPOC community.

This position will also have an opportunity to develop programs and provide services through other avenues within the Social Services Department and will support the Director of Social Services in program tracking, assessment, evaluation, and reporting to the greater Nourishing Hope community.

Schedule and Locations:

This position will work out of the Headquarters location, 1716 W. Hubbard St. with consideration for two work from home days.

Essential Job Functions:

Oversee and implement all clinical outpatient individual, couples, family, and group therapy appointments as scheduled, managing a full caseload of 20-25 client sessions per week with at least 10 clients’ medicaid insurance being billed
Reach out to clients who request mental wellness appointments to schedule appointments, complete an intake assessment, and coordinate care with other mental wellness team members.
Provide direct services, using trauma-informed care practices, as needed to Nourishing Hope clients via scheduled appointments face-to-face and via telehealth as needed.
Implement targeted programs to identify high-risk populations as assigned.
Maintain accurate client case records that include assessments, interventions, service plans, and case notes in Azzly and in Salesforce as appropriate.
Administer IM CANS assessment to Medicaid clients when needed.
Respond to inquiries from the community members about services and refer to internal and external programs as appropriate.
Refer clients on caseload to the Social Services department for wraparound social services; including, but not limited to: case management, career services, public benefits assistance, and financial assistance.
Develop internal mental health focused programs based on assessed needs of clients.
Collaborate with the Nourishing Hope program team (food and social services) to ensure client needs are met when receiving services by identifying and addressing potential barriers to access to services.
Stay informed on local, state, and federal policies and trends and the impact on clients.
Participate in community meetings, trainings, gatherings, and events to act as a steward on behalf of Nourishing Hope and to seek resources that can be helpful for clients.
Help supervise and train master’s level social work/clinical students as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
Work collaboratively with all Nourishing Hope team members, recognizing the importance of each department and role to ultimately provide quality services to Nourishing Hope clients.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in social work or counseling, LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT required.
Minimum two years experience working in a human services setting and engaged in direct client work.
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Products.
Strong human relations skills.
Understanding of the widespread impact of food insecurity and a willingness to work as a part of a team to ensure access to food and support services for all.
Understanding of the impact of social determinants, institutionalized discrimination, structural inequality, and oppression of social groups including but not limited to: race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, religion, age, and ability status, and the ability to identify how systems have impacted clients and intervene accordingly.
Understanding of and belief in the importance of trauma-informed care practice.
Creative and motivated self-starter.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to handle volatile situations calmly, professionally, and respectfully.

Background Check:

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.