[Hiring] Chat & Text Counselor @Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Role Description

As a Chat & Text Counselor, you will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and resources to help-seekers through Crisis Chat and Text services. Operating in a fully remote capacity with an option to work on-site, you will play a critical role in delivering compassionate and effective support during moments of crisis. This position emphasizes maintaining high-quality standards in all interactions to ensure help-seekers receive the best possible care and guidance. By actively listening, assessing needs, and providing appropriate resources, you will make a meaningful impact on individuals seeking assistance.

Primary Duties

• Offers crisis-counseling services via chat and text.
• Completes risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and follow-up with Chat/Text visitors.
• Serves as a mandated reporter in cases of suspected abuse or neglect.
• Is familiar with resources and providing information and referrals to visitors as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate and detailed chat/text reports. Documentation must be completed in real time.
• Responds to concurrent interactions in alignment with 988 Lifeline standards; accepts overlapping interactions only when clinically appropriate.
• Fulfills continuing education requirements as requested or required for the agency and the Suicide Prevention Center program.
• Assists in the training process of new counselors.
• Participates in community outreach events such as resources tables and presentations about suicide prevention as needed.
• Attends routinely scheduled meetings for the Suicide Prevention Center.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months of relevant behavioral health experience, with one year of experience in crisis intervention or suicide prevention strongly preferred.
• Possess a high school Diploma or equivalent.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to empathetically engage with any individual regardless of background, and demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence in the process.
• Exceptional at multi-tasking and time management, able to drive multiple pieces of work forward simultaneously while meeting all deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use web-based platforms, electronic documentation systems, and communication tools, with strong typing and data entry skills required to accurately document interactions in real time.
• Have high speed internet with an active Ethernet connection, and a quiet/confidential workspace.
• Be empathetic, flexible, and adaptable to varying situations.
• Have open availability and flexibility to work within the program’s operating hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Be reliable and able to adhere to schedules based upon program needs.
• Complete yearly required continuing education trainings.
• Have knowledge of all job specific skills including safety assessment, data collection, and chat/text triage.
• Goal-oriented team player with strong experience working in large and complex systems.
• A commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
• Successfully pass our pre-employment screening, including a background check and live scan fingerprinting.

Benefits

• The pay for this position is $24.00 per hour with a $3.00 overnight differential.
• The schedule is Wednesday from 7:00pm-11:00pm and Thursday-Saturday from 5:00pm-1:30am, totaling 28 hours per week.
• This role requires a three-week 40-hour per week training at the start of employment.
• Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch.

Company Description

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible.