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Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 11 /02/2026
MISSION: CDPH works with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient and Healthy Chicago.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking motivated and compassionate individuals to join the Behavioral Health team as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). An EMT with the Behavioral Health team provides care to patients at locations in the community such as on the street, train platforms or bus stops, private residences, community centers, and other locations in the community. The EMT partners with other behavioral health first responders to respond to persons experiencing a crisis or problem related to unmet mental health, substance use, physical health, or social needs. The EMTs may also need to provide basic life support care to patients in an emergency or crisis situation, including the use of basic medical equipment. An EMT has the skills to assess a patient's condition and to stabilize emergencies such as those related to respiratory, cardiac, or trauma incidents. CDPH's behavioral health response will continue to evolve and EMTs must have the ability and capacity to evolve with our system. In addition, EMTs will utilize a patient-centered approach to care and understand social circumstances that impact patient presentations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
· Respond, in collaboration with other team members, to 911 calls and other crisis lifelines with an identified behavioral health component and provide crisis assessment, crisis intervention, de- escalation, safety planning, referrals, and linkage to care services for residents.
· Interact and collaborate with public safety departments and first responders to "assist" requests from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) as well as contacting CFD for medical emergencies.
· Conduct proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders who may have unaddressed behavioral health or social service needs.
· Deliver services that are compassionate, trauma- informed, and attentive to the particular needs and values of each patient.
· Perform patient care assessments and maintain accurate and timely clinical medical records consistent with CDPH, Region 11, and City of Chicago standards.
· Assess vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, pulse oximetry) .
· Provides basic prehospital medical care to patients.
· Navigate the Chicago area healthcare system including appropriate transport of patients to mental health facilities, emergency departments, and alternate destinations for further stabilization.
· Operate and maintain City vehicles for emergency response and day to day operations.
· Participate in team and departmental meetings, in-services, and supervisory sessions as required.
NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.
Location: 1920 S Western Ave + City-wide
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 2:30pm - 10:30pm (hours are subject to change based on program needs)
THIS POSITION IS IN CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· 18 years of age or older
· High school diploma or GED
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
· Current CPR certification
· Current State of Illinois EMT or Paramedic license
· Credentialing under Region 11, Chicago EMS Systems including EMS System Entry and all required EMS Continuing Education updates for maintenance once hired
· Valid State of Illinois driver's license is required
· Pass a background check
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
· Ability to walk and stand for extended period of time
· Ability to bend, kneel, crouch and move one's hands/arms to grasp or manipulate objects
· Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) is required
PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Previous experience as an EMT or other healthcare professional
· Previous experience providing services to persons experiencing a mental health or substance related crisis
· Experience working in a high-stress environment
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
· Empathetic and compassionate patient-centered approach to interactions
· Effectiveness, versatility and action-oriented mindset
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
Previous experience with patients living with serious and persistent mental illness
Previous experience working with multidisciplinary teams
Bi-lingual Spanish is a plus
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview process will be selected.
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp\info/JobClassification/2025\Classification\and\Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference for applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates, to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices, click here. (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/emp.html)
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
