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Case Therapist II-Crisis Services Casual Rotating Shift

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

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 made a difficult disposition decision. How did you reach it?

What they are checking: Whether they think through decisions carefully and document their reasoning.

This is a casual rotating role. How do you take care of yourself after hard crisis cases?

What they are checking: Whether they manage stress well, which prevents burnout in crisis work.

What would you do

A teenager in the ED may need DCFS or CCBYS involved. How do you coordinate with those workers?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to work with child welfare and youth services, which the posting names directly.

The ED doctor wants to discharge a patient you believe is still at risk. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate clearly with physicians and involve the on-call psychiatrist when needed.

There are no inpatient beds available and the patient needs one. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can problem-solve placement and keep the patient safe while waiting.

About the work

You're called to the emergency department at Woodstock for a crisis assessment. Walk me through how you start.

What they are checking: Whether they have a structured assessment covering mental status, risk, supports and environment, as the posting lists.

How do you assess suicide risk, and what makes you recommend inpatient care versus going home?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh risk and protective factors and make a defensible disposition recommendation.

How do you calm a patient who is agitated and yelling in the emergency department?

What they are checking: Whether they have de-escalation skills that keep the patient and staff safe.

How would you run a short stabilization group in the Psychiatric Emergency Department?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead group interventions, which the posting includes as part of the role.

What do you include in your documentation after a crisis assessment?

What they are checking: Whether they record risk, rationale and plan clearly, since these notes guide care and protect everyone legally.

How do you address substance use when it's part of the crisis?

What they are checking: Whether they can assess and address co-occurring disorders, which are common in emergency settings.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Case Therapist II 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. Assesses emotional, behavioral, mental status, environmental, familial, and situational state of patients at the Northwest Region Emergency Departments. Provides necessary crisis intervention and stabilization services. Provides assessment results and recommendations to required professionals during course of on-site (i.e. DCFS worker, CCBYS worker, ED doctor, on-call psychiatrist, etc.) in the development of disposition plans. Coordinates the arrangement of disposition plans and referral decisions. PES Case Therapists facilitate individual and group mental health intervention and stabilization services for clients in need of short-term crisis stabilization services, post assessment, within the Psychiatric Emergency Department setting. Reports to the Crisis Program Coordinator and Crisis and Outpatient Behavioral Health Program Manager. This position will be stationed in the Psychiatric Emergency Department in Northwestern Hospital Woodstock and responds to requests for crisis assessment services within the emergency departments in the Northwest Region. Responsibilities: Consistent with established policies and procedures: • Facilitates and documents comprehensive behavioral health and substance use crisis assessment protocol to identify patient strengths and needs and to establish a recommended level of care disposition • Educates and discusses treatment options with patients related to mental health and substance use needs • Provides immediate mental health/substance abuse intervention to stabilize patient, outlining goals, identifying barriers, and discussing strategies to navigate barriers to care. Encourages patients to follow through on immediate and extended treatment recommendations. • Works within a multi-disciplinary team to consult on treatment and disposition of patients • Coordinates access to referral and linkage information and appointments to facilitate an effective community stabilization disposition • Coordinates with ED doctor and psychiatrist when establishing criteria and recommendation for inpatient care and Extended Stay Protocols • Coordinates with PES Team partners to verify benefits, facilitate pre-certification, and complete all administrative responsibilities required for proper handoff, and PES Nurse to facilitate an admission to NM or alternate hospital • Communicates with collateral partners the disposition and crisis safety plan • Provides individual and group crisis intervention services to patients receiving short-term crisis stabilization services within the psychiatric emergency department setting. These may include patients who are awaiting inpatient hospitalization as well as clients requiring further stabilization before returning to a community setting • Utilizes CPI de-escalation techniques to support and treat psychiatric patients. Utilizes evidence based, trauma, cultural, and recovery-informed practices to guide practices • Facilitates follow-up contact and intervention with identified clients who were assessed and referred to community resources and supports • Provides grief support and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) as requested • Completes USARF screenings for unfunded patients at requesting facilities (county contract) • As a member of the PES team, responds to client crisis calls and external requests for service as needed. • Engages in actively marketing PES services with consumer groups, community providers, education, police, and other collateral partners. • Provides all services in accordance with the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (Ill. Rev. Stat, ch. 91 ½, par 2-100 et seq. and par 801 et seq – 740 ILCS 11 0/1 et seq.) • Records appropriate client progress notes and required consultation documentation into the client’s treatment record. • Other duties as assigned. Required : • Master’s Degree in psychology , social work, or related field required.. • Minimum of one or more years of experience related to mental health/substance use counseling • Interpersonal skills necessary to establish a working relationship with patients and their families and staff. • Analytical skills necessary in order to properly monitor patients’ behaviors and maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu environment • Writing skills necessary in order to accurately document patients’ progress in the medical record. • Must be organized, detailed oriented, able to multi-task, and dedicated to helping others Preferred : • Independent licensure as a mental health professional (LCSW, LCPC). Must obtain clinical licensure when becoming eligible by meeting the state’s requirements. • Crisis experience preferred. • Comprehensive knowledge of crisis intervention techniques for a broad spectrum of the mentally ill or chemically dependent is preferred. 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.

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