Social Work Services Specialist in Gurnee, Illinois at Youth and Family Counseling

Youth & Family Counseling (YFC) has been opening doors to mental health care since 1962. Our mission is simple and powerful: to ensure that every person in our diverse community, regardless of age or income, can receive accessible, affordable and exceptional care. We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families across our three Lake County locations, and we take pride in the real, lasting difference our team makes in the lives of the people we serve. Our team adheres to evidence-based, measurement driven care, equipping clients not just with support, but with the tools and direction they need to reach their goals and build lasting resilience.

At YFC, you'll join a team that is experienced and passionate about their work and deeply invested in each other's success. Our supervisors and staff are incredibly supportive, and that culture of care extends beyond the clients we serve — it defines how we show up for one another, too. We know that doing meaningful clinical work requires a strong foundation of guidance, collaboration, and resiliency, which is why we prioritize making sure every employee has direct, consistent access to their supervisor. Whether you're navigating a complex case, seeking consultation, or looking to develop your clinical skills, you'll never feel like you left to figure it out on your own.

We also understand that great work happens when you have the tools and opportunities to keep growing. These ongoing opportunities to deepen your expertise across a wide range of specialties reflect our belief that investing in our team’s professional growth is key to doing this work well – for our staff and for the clients we serve. If you’re someone who wants to make a meaningful impact on your community while advancing your skills within a mission-driven organization that truly has your back, we’d love to have you on our team.

Essential Functions

• Complete and document assessments for incoming clients in an engaging, efficient, and timely manner.
• Assist scheduler with scheduling of complex cases.
• Contact external partners in the referral network to proactively refer cases not appropriate for YFC.
• Maintain case management load for assigned clients.
• Deliver case management services to YFC clients.
• Complete thorough, efficient, billable case notes.
• Collaborates with therapists and site supervisors to connect clients with appropriate clinical services.
• Uses practice management system to assist in the timely and accurate maintenance of client data/records.
• Maintain schedule sufficient to meet or exceed session delivery expectations.
• Document medical necessity and client progress in accordance with YFC policies and assessment protocols.
• Obtain client pre-approvals when necessary.
• Manage clinical emergencies.
• Maintain ethical boundaries.
• Maintain self and surroundings that allow full engagement with clients on a consistent basis.

Other Responsibilities

• Provides back-up for scheduler.
• Ensure that updates (e.g., transfers, cancellations, or additions) are processed in EHR in real-time.
• Communicate as needed with other members of clinical support team and other staff about any client concerns/issues related to scheduling. Consult with supervisor about any system problems.
• Act in accordance with YFC goals and values, including building trust, acting with integrity, and treating both clients and co-workers with respect.??
• Support facilitating groups.
• Participate in organizational planning.
• Support fundraising efforts and activities:
• Demonstrate professional communication that upholds YFC values with management, board, and peers including the timely communication for time both in and out of office, including vacations, holidays, illness, conferences, or personal commitments.??
• With supervisor, set goals for professional development and participate in quarterly check-ins.
• Use supervision for case conceptualization, management of self, and to address client service and administrative responsibilities.
• Attend and appropriately participate in weekly staff meetings and consult groups, deliver case presentations when requested/appropriate.
• Support credentialing and empanelment efforts.
• Engage in and support work to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate diversity of culture and thought, both with clients and with teammates in the workplace.

Qualifications

• BSW or BA in psychology or related field; Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field.
• Driver’s license
• Spanish (preferred)

• Work on-site 5-days per week and for a minimum of 2 evenings/week.
• Interest in engaging with people of all ages and from all walks of life; inclusive and respectful of all YFC stakeholders.
• Strong assessment skills; ability to conduct thorough but concise assessments.
• Maintain professional and ethical boundaries.
• Ability to multitask effectively.
• Effective problem solver.
• Works effectively and efficiently under supervision.
• Fluent use of digital technologies to manage data; document care; maximize productivity; and communicate.?
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement: coachable, uses data and feedback to improve performance and effectiveness.?
• Understand role and how their work contributes to organizational success.
• Demonstrate growth mindset including problem-solving abilities, dedication to continuous improvement, and intrinsic motivation to achieve goals.