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Psychiatric Counselor Full Time Days

Northwestern Medicine · Winfield, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 25, 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 group you have led. How did you handle a patient who kept disrupting it?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep a therapeutic group on track while treating the disruptive patient with respect.

Tell me about a time you noticed a change in a patient's behavior and reported it.

What they are checking: Whether they observe closely and report changes promptly to the charge nurse.

This work can be emotionally heavy. How do you take care of yourself so you can keep doing it well?

What they are checking: Whether they have real habits that prevent burnout in a demanding setting.

What would you do

How do you do a body and belongings search in a way that is safe and still respects the patient's dignity?

What they are checking: Whether they balance safety with respect during a moment that can feel invasive to a patient.

A patient becomes agitated and starts threatening another patient in the dayroom. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they use de-escalation, call for help early and protect everyone on the unit.

You work with adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. How does your approach change across those ages?

What they are checking: Whether they adjust communication and activities to development and age.

A patient tells you they are thinking about hurting themselves but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they know they cannot keep safety risks secret and handle the disclosure with care.

About the work

Walk me through how you would complete an intake with the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment and the voluntary forms.

What they are checking: Whether they can complete intake paperwork accurately while explaining patient rights clearly.

What does good milieu management look like to you during a full shift?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how to keep the unit environment calm, safe and therapeutic.

How do you contribute to a patient's Master Treatment Plan?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their part in the treatment team and document useful observations.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Full-Time Days 7am-3:30pm with rotating weekends The Psychiatric 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. • A Psychiatric Counselor, under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, Charge or Staff Nurse, delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patient, their support network, and other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team to rapidly identify and treat the crisis that is occurring. Responsibilities: • Conducts intake's consisting of the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment, all admission forms, Voluntary forms along with patient rights. Orient's patient to unit and conducts body and belongings search under the direction of the Charge RN. • Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan. • Facilitates groups, educational, and focus to Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric population. Conducts Community and Wrap- Up and Expressive Therapy Groups along with milieu management. • Under the direction of the Charge RN assists with ADL's. • Serves on BHS and unit work groups when requested. • Communicates to Manager and Charge Nurse any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety. • Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact. Required: • Bachelor’s degree • One year experience in a behavioral health unit or one completed semester of internship in a behavioral health field. • CPR – Basic Life Support • De-escalation training within six months of hire Preferred: • Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science field • Experience in mental health substance abuse 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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