JobsAdvocate Health

Psychiatric Crisis Therapist I - PRN

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Advocate Health

Likely interview questions for this role

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

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you had to de-escalate someone who was becoming aggressive or violent. What did you do and how did it end?

hands-on experience with de-escalation and composure under physical risk

Tell me about a case where you got it wrong, or a disposition decision you'd make differently now.

self-awareness and honesty about clinical fallibility

Tell me about the last time you worked with a patient going through a substance use crisis alongside a psychiatric one. How did that change your approach?

comfort with dual-diagnosis presentations, which are common in ED crisis work

Tell me about a time a physician or ED staff member disagreed with your clinical recommendation. What did you do?

ability to advocate for a clinical opinion while still working collaboratively within a medical team

What do you do to take care of yourself after a shift that involved a violent patient or a serious loss?

whether they have real coping strategies for a job with daily emotional intensity, not burnout risk

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess a patient who just arrived in the ED saying they want to hurt themselves. What are you actually looking for in those first few minutes?

whether the candidate has a real, structured approach to risk assessment rather than just describing feelings

What's your process for building a discharge and safety plan, and who do you loop in before it's final?

whether they involve the full team (physician, family, patient) rather than working in isolation

How do you decide between recommending inpatient admission versus outpatient follow-up for someone in crisis?

clinical judgment and familiarity with level-of-care decision making

How do you keep the Illinois Mental Health Code and confidentiality rules in mind when you're moving fast in an ED setting?

working knowledge of the specific regulatory framework named in the posting, not just generic HIPAA awareness

Situational

Say you have a patient who is medically stable but you believe needs inpatient psychiatric admission, and the family is pushing back hard. How do you handle that conversation?

ability to manage conflict with families while still driving toward a safe disposition

You've got three patients waiting for behavioral health assessment in the ED at the same time, and the unit is short-staffed. How do you triage?

prioritization skills and composure under a high caseload with limited support

How do you handle a shift where you're going back and forth between an adolescent case and an elderly patient with dementia-related symptoms in the same hour?

lifespan knowledge and flexibility across very different developmental presentations

This is a PRN role with a minimum shift commitment including weekends and holidays. What does your availability actually look like, and how do you stay sharp when your schedule is irregular?

realistic fit with the scheduling demands and whether they've thought through sustaining quality care on an inconsistent schedule

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 36624 Advocate Sherman Hospital - Psychiatric: Intake Status: Part time Benefits Eligible: No Hou rs Per Week: 0 Schedule Details/Additional Information: PRN/registry Position. Shifts are on an as-needed basis. A commitment to work a minimum of 4 shifts per month (based on staffing/departmental needs), including 1 weekend (Sa and Su). A commitment to 1 Summer and 1 Winter Holiday Pay Range: $30.70 - $49.60 Job Description/Major Responsibilities: • Provides crisis intervention, brief psychotherapy, triage, resource development and disposition recommendations for behavioral health patients of the Emergency Department and Medical Center via both in person and via telehealth as indicated by site. • Provides direct specialized care with patients who have been identified as needing psychological assessment or interventions beyond the scope of general patient care practice, including assessment of patients’ mental status, psychosocial stressors, level of functioning, risk, support systems, strengths and needs. • Provide ongoing rounding, counsels patients utilizing solution focused therapy and utilizes problem solving collaboratively with patient to stabilize condition/crisis. • Uses short-term crisis intervention techniques and/or referrals to other support services to support patients and families dealing with acute emotional distress, addictions, grief, loss, disability and traumatic lifestyle changes. • Develops discharge and safety plan in direct consultation with patient, family, physician and health care team. Coordinates arrangements to implement plan. • Facilitates admission process to inpatient psychiatric unit (site specific). • Ensure patients are pre-certified for recommended level of care. • Communicates with staff and physicians of the Emergency Department, medical unit, Behavioral Health Services and/or human service agencies to obtain all relevant patient information, refers patients and consults with other staff regarding patient progress to provide optimum patient care. • Participate in unit meetings, trainings related to departmental changes or enhancements and education. • Adheres to relevant state and federal guidelines governing patient care and treatment of sensitive information, particularly the Illinois Developmental Disability and Mental Health Code, the Illinois Confidentiality Code, HIPPA and EMTALA. • Ability to flex hours within the department and cross train to related job roles/duties to meet the needs of the department. • Ensure accurate data collection for billing, the management information system, and other purposes in accord with organizational policies and procedures. Licensure : • LSW, LPC minimum • LCSW and LCPC strongly encouraged to apply and would be considered at the Level 2 candidacy. • Candidates without licensure but preparing for licensure may be eligible, but hiring would be contingent upon receiving minimum licensure within an established time at point of hire. Education/Experience Required : • Master's Degree in behavioral health sciences or related field with a minimum of two years’ experience in a mental health or related setting. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required : • Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations with strong interpersonal skills; knowledge of techniques to de-escalate aggressive behavior. High tolerance for emotionally stressful situations sometimes encountered daily with psychiatric and substance abuse patients • Risk assessment, psychotherapy and family/group treatment skills, and knowledge of behavioral health referrals and resources. • Knowledge of DSM-V diagnostic categories. • Knowledge and education on the typical development related to the lifespan (i.e., normal patterns of adolescent behavior and look for signs or normal aging, prior experience with various age groups is preferred.) • Basic computer and typing skills; Organization and time management skills. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions : • Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations; May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases; Knowledge of universal precautions a must. Works within and supports a shared governance model. Is customer focused. Transporting patients may be required. May at times come in contact with violent and may be involved in restraining patients. • If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

Apply at Advocate Health

Related jobs

Psychiatric Crisis Therapist II

Advocate Health · Oak Lawn, IL

Posted Sep 8 · Verified Sep 20

Physical Therapist (PT) - Acute Care and Emergency

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Medical Assistant (MA)/LPN - OB/GYN

Advocate Health · Franklin, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Family Medicine - Full Time

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Registered Nurse (RN) - Orland Park

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

GI Scheduler

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20