Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Behavioral health specialist jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with steady demand from community mental health centers, hospital systems, and state-funded human services programs at every level from entry-level case support through senior clinician roles. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring, where established employers such as Advocate Health Care, Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, and the Illinois Department of Human Services maintain consistent openings. Crisis intervention, substance use disorder treatment, and school-based behavioral health are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 126+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs
Previous Behavioral Health experience is required.
- Manage all inquiries to the department related to admission referrals from internal and external customers and documents on the designated form.
- Conducts an initial clinical screening for admission requests and collects preliminary demographics and verifies insurance benefits
- Provides assistance to the HPH- ER physician in assessment of patients to determine eligibility for admission based on established admission criteria.
- Provides appropriate outpatient referrals for ER patients when directed by the ER attending.
- Coordinates all pre-admission activities with the BMU nursing unit for patients being considered for admission, including validation of required legal paperwork, gathering of other pertinent information; e.g., clinical data establishing criteria for admission, physician and nurses reports, medication administration records, lab results.
- Coordinates all activities for patients accepted for admission, including completion of admission entry paperwork with the patient.
- Identifies patients’ presenting problems and completes the preliminary treatment plan.
- Maintains various logs of activities and participates in department/intake performance improvement initiatives.
Requirements:
CPI & BLS certification Required.
Licenses & Certifications
Required- CPI - Crisis Prev Interv
- BLS - Basic Life Supt
- RN License
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Previous Behavioral Health experience is required.
- Manage all inquiries to the department related to admission referrals from internal and external customers and documents on the designated form.
- Conducts an initial clinical screening for admission requests and collects preliminary demographics and verifies insurance benefits
- Provides assistance to the HPH- ER physician in assessment of patients to determine eligibility for admission based on established admission criteria.
- Provides appropriate outpatient referrals for ER patients when directed by the ER attending.
- Coordinates all pre-admission activities with the BMU nursing unit for patients being considered for admission, including validation of required legal paperwork, gathering of other pertinent information; e.g., clinical data establishing criteria for admission, physician and nurses reports, medication administration records, lab results.
- Coordinates all activities for patients accepted for admission, including completion of admission entry paperwork with the patient.
- Identifies patients’ presenting problems and completes the preliminary treatment plan.
- Maintains various logs of activities and participates in department/intake performance improvement initiatives.
Requirements:
CPI & BLS certification Required.
Licenses & Certifications
Required- CPI - Crisis Prev Interv
- BLS - Basic Life Supt
- RN License
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 126+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois LCPC, LCSW, or CADC credential or eligibility to obtain one
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field
- Experience conducting behavioral health assessments and developing individualized treatment plans
- Familiarity with Illinois Medicaid billing, documentation standards, and compliance requirements
- Ability to work with diverse populations including adults, youth, and families in community settings
- Proficiency in electronic health record systems such as Netsmart or similar platforms
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related human services field, and many prefer a master's degree for clinical roles. Depending on your focus, you may pursue licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees credentials such as the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. For substance use roles, the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association administers the CADC credential, which many Illinois employers require.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in Illinois right now include Hartgrove Behavioral Health System, Carle Health, and SAINT MARY OF NAZARETH HOSPITAL, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois also has a strong network of federally qualified health centers and county-run mental health boards that are consistent sources of behavioral health specialist openings throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield have the most behavioral health specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of listings due to its concentration of hospital systems, community mental health organizations, and county health infrastructure, while Rockford and Springfield generate steady demand through regional hospital networks and state government human services agencies.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they represent a smaller share of the market than in purely desk-based fields, since much of the work involves in-person assessment, crisis response, and community outreach. About 36% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth counseling and care coordination roles being the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a behavioral health technician, case aide, or mental health associate role, which Illinois community mental health centers and large systems like Sinai Chicago and Thresholds regularly post for candidates without prior clinical experience. Completing a field placement or internship through an Illinois university social work or counseling program gives candidates a concrete edge. A CADC candidate registration through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association also signals commitment and can open doors at substance use treatment providers before full certification is complete.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience, credentials, and preferred location, then apply directly through each listing.
See All 126+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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