Admissions Specialist - Decatur, Illinois

Admissions Specialist- Substance Use - Heritage Behavioral Health Center - Decatur, Illinois

Salary: Range based on education, experience, and licensure or certification

• Five years of supervised experience in behavioral health: 23.00/hour + every other Friday off
• Bachelor's Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday off
• Bachelor's Degree + CADC: $27.00/hour + every other Friday off

Schedule: Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care - regardless of the position they hold.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Collaborative mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off - paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Your Role:

Admissions Specialist - Residential Rehabilitation - Heritage Behavioral Health Center (Decatur, Illinois)
This position will join Heritage's Care Transition Team to engage and assist individuals in accessing inpatient substance use treatment, including detoxification and residential rehabilitation services, as well as support their successful transition into lower levels of care. The person chosen for this role will complete intake screenings, determine appropriate levels of care, and coordinate timely access to residential treatment while ensuring a smooth, supportive transition into services.

This role requires a high level of collaboration, flexibility, organization, and excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. The position is full-time and works collaboratively with clients, referral sources, Heritage staff, and funders to reduce barriers to treatment and promote continuity of care.

Core Responsibilities:

• Telephone and face-to-face contact with individuals seeking substance use treatment services
• Completing intake screenings for individuals requesting residential rehabilitation services
• Completing telephone and face-to-face assessments for individuals seeking substance use treatment
• Completing ASAM level of care placement to determine appropriate treatment recommendations
• Coordinating access to inpatient substance use programs, including detoxification/withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation
• Providing weekly follow-up with individuals on the residential rehabilitation waitlist to maintain engagement and readiness for admission
• Facilitating warm hand-offs from referral sources, including criminal justice, medical, and other community-based referral partners
• Collaborating with outpatient team members to navigate referrals to residential treatment and support continuity of care
• Completing admission safety plans for individuals admitted to Recovery Residential services
• Linking individuals to other levels of care as appropriate when residential treatment is not indicated or available
• Maintaining positive, professional relationships with referral sources
• Tracking admissions, continued stays, and discharges for inpatient residential programs
• Maintaining an organized system for reporting and coordinating with the clinical treatment team when clinical reviews are due
• Attending clinical staffings to obtain information necessary for client reviews and care coordination
• Collaborating with internal team members including direct care staff, administrative professionals, nursing, counselors, and clinical leadership to support treatment engagement and successful transition to a lower level of care

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to engage individuals at the point they are asking for help and reduce barriers to accessing treatment
• Knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and use of the DSM-5
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and application of ASAM criteria
• Knowledge of funding sources including HFS, MCOs, and private insurance
• Knowledge of community resources including psychiatric, substance use, medical, and other supportive services
• Strong customer service orientation with effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to tolerate ambiguity, uncertainty, and change
• Ability to navigate electronic health records

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have education and experience working with individuals diagnosed with substance use and/or mental health disorders. This position requires designation as a Mental Health Professional, defined as one of the following:

• Five years of supervised experience in behavioral health
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or other human service field + ability to obtain certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) within two years of employment
• Graduate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or other human service fields + ability to obtain certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), LPC, or LSW, within two years of employment
• Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), LPC, or LSW required within 24 months of employment
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off paid, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.
• Retirement: 401k and Roth
• Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities
• Loan Forgiveness: Eligible through the National Health Service Corp

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that cares about your well-being as much as the individuals we serve!