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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Behavioral Health Counselor-Inpatient Part-time 6pm to 630am

Northwestern Medicine · Woodstock, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you helped someone through a crisis.

What they are checking: Whether they can stay calm and supportive when someone is in distress.

How do you build trust with a patient who does not want to be in the hospital?

What they are checking: Whether they can connect with resistant patients without power struggles.

How do you take care of yourself after a hard shift?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy coping skills, since this work can be emotionally draining.

What would you do

A patient on the unit becomes very agitated at 2 a.m. and starts yelling at staff. How do you help calm the situation?

What they are checking: Whether they use de-escalation skills early to keep everyone safe without force.

A patient tells you they are thinking about hurting themselves. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they take it seriously, assess risk and immediately inform the team.

How do you set boundaries with a patient who is trying to become too personal with you?

What they are checking: Whether they keep professional boundaries while staying caring.

The schedule is 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on a rotating six-week pattern. How will you manage that?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought through the overnight schedule and can stay reliable.

About the work

Walk me through how you collect a social history from a new patient.

What they are checking: Whether they ask organized, respectful questions that give the team useful information.

How do you contribute to a treatment plan as part of an interdisciplinary team?

What they are checking: Whether they share observations and help set realistic goals with the patient.

What does good discharge planning look like for a behavioral health patient?

What they are checking: Whether they think about community supports and follow-up to prevent readmission.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

This position works 12-hour shifts, working 24-hours per week with a every other weekend rotation. This position's schedule is 6pm to 630am, 24 hour per week, with the following 6-week schedule. Week 1 Tuesday and Saturday Week 2 Sun and Monday Week 3 Thursday and Saturday Week 4 Sunday and Tuesday Week 5 Monday and Saturday Week 6 Sunday and Thursday The Behavioral Health Counselor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assists in providing patient assessments and treatment as directed. Under supervision, provides supportive counseling, case management, and community support services. Assesses patient and patient's family needs, develops treatment plans, provides and evaluates patient care, and assists with discharge planning. Responsibilities: • Screen and evaluate requests for service. • Collect and report social history for assigned cases. • Intervene, stabilize, and manage acute crisis situations. • Assess and evaluate client needs, strengths, goals and resources. • Develop individual plans with clients utilizing available assessment tools. • Work with an interdisciplinary team in reviewing cases and developing individual plans. • Implement individual plans through rehabilitation services such as case management, advocacy, outreach, skills training groups, social rehabilitation, community support and support counseling. • Provide linkage case management, participate in treatment planning and discharge planning. • Consult with other center staff regarding problem assessment and treatment/intervention planning. • Consult with other service agencies around case-specific and programmatic issues. • Refer and link clients to other human services programs. • Serve as a liaison to other agencies as needed. • Train other providers and non-providers in areas relating to service specialties. Minimum Requirements: Education: • Bachelor’s in Behavioral Health Licensure: • All NM, Ben Gordon Center (WR849) employees, at point of hire and annually, are required to have a valid State of Illinois driver’s license, current auto liability insurance, and an annual driving abstract Certification: • CPR - Basic Life Support Behavioral Attributes: • Advance verbal and written communication skills Preferred: • One year of experience interacting with clients in an outpatient setting Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.