Heritage Behavioral Health Center·Decatur, Illinois
Serve as the first clinical point of contact for individuals in behavioral health crises, performing triage, risk assessments, and safety planning. Coordinate dispositions and provide brief treatment and case management within a 24/7 urgent care environment.
Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center – Behavioral Health Urgent Care & Crisis Observation
Employment Type: Full-Time
The Hub operates 24/7. This position includes rotating weekends, and includes overnight, weekend, and holiday coverage.
Heritage Behavioral Health Center is seeking a skilled and compassionate Urgent Care Clinician to join our Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Crisis Observation team. This position serves as the first clinical point of contact for individuals presenting in a behavioral health crisis, providing triage assessment, crisis intervention, brief treatment, and safety planning in a fast-paced, 24/7 urgent care setting.
The Urgent Care Clinician collaborates closely with Recovery Support Specialists, treatment programs and the Open Access/Assessment Clinician team to ensure individuals receive timely, person-centered, and trauma-informed care.
Essential responsibilities
Serve as the first point of contact for individuals presenting to Behavioral Health Urgent Care; conduct triage assessments to determine acuity, safety risk, and service track.
Administer the IM-CAT (Illinois Medicaid Crisis Assessment Tool) and a validated substance use screening tool for every individual seen.
Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, brief treatment, and treatment planning for individuals in acute distress.
Conduct risk assessment, including suicide risk assessment (e.g., C-SSRS), and develop a diagnostic impression and disposition.
Determine whether an individual needs crisis intervention/disposition or a full behavioral health assessment, and route same-day to the Open Access/Assessment Clinician team for IM+CANS and, where indicated, ASAM assessment.
Provide IMCANS and ASAM assessments during non-traditional hours when Open Access is not available.
Complete a Crisis Safety and Prevention Plan with every individual prior to discharge.
Conduct and document a clinical reassessment of each individual in Crisis Observation at least every 4 hours to determine continued appropriateness for observation-level care.
Track the 23-hour observation clock and coordinate the eventual disposition decision (discharge, step-down to outpatient/TCM follow-up, or transfer to Heritage's Crisis Stabilization Unit or inpatient hospitalization).
Provide targeted case management and linkage/advocacy for individuals at high risk of suicide or overdose, or in an acute crisis episode.
Schedule follow-up appointments and coordinate warm hand-offs with the Crisis Call Center, Mobile Crisis Response, the Crisis Stabilization Unit, inpatient facilities, emergency departments, and community resources.
Complete timely, accurate clinical documentation of all services provided in the electronic health record, meeting CCBHC encounter documentation standards.
Participate in team meetings, clinical supervision, and ongoing required training.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requires a bachelor's degree in a human services field, an LPN license, or significant documented experience in mental health services. Candidates must be proficient in crisis intervention, risk assessment tools, and clinical documentation.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Illinois often draw steady interest because employers look for licensed or graduate-prepared candidates who can work in clinical, community, or care-coordination settings. This role is competitive because the required background is specific—either a master’s degree in a human services field or an active Illinois RN license, with behavioral health experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure, degree, and setting experience before applying.
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