Lead Admissions Clinician

The Lead Admissions Clinician provides assessments to assist the physician in identification of appropriate level of care for potential patients. The Admissions clinician is the initial contact with referral sources and potential patients, coordinates the referral and intake process, facilitates the admission process and maintains communication with referral sources, families, patients and unit staff. The Admissions Clinician is responsible for the verification and prior authorization of insurance benefits as needed.

In addition to core job responsibilities as an Admissions Clinician, the Lead completes the following duties: assists with onboarding and training new team members, completes reports and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or Human Services field or licensed RN. Licensed RN, LCSW, LPC, LMFT required.

Experience: 1-2 years of experience preferred in psychiatric health care. Working knowledge of DSM-V diagnostic criteria, mental status exam, and addiction recovery field. Leadership experience preferred.

Additional Requirements: Successful completion of CPI training, Service Excellence Training and CPR certification required. Certifications may be obtained during new hire orientation.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Answers telephone using the appropriate greeting and attempts to obtain all pertinent clinical, demographic and insurance information from the caller to determine caller's needs.
2. Performs telephonic risk screening to determine level of suicidality/homicidality with caller in crisis.
3. Demonstrates knowledge of admission criteria for inpatient and outpatient levels of care and is able to recommend appropriate service recommendations for each individual. Provides referral recommendations to appropriate resources whenever a caller is not appropriate for services.
4. Schedules assessments with potential patients and referral sources and explains the assessment/admission process.
5. Promptly greets patient and family upon notification of their arrival. Informs patient and family of evaluation and admission process.
6. Conducts walk-in and scheduled assessments, coordinates with the reviewing psychiatrist, and makes appropriate clinical recommendations for the individual seeking care. Conducts assessments for pre-accepted patient transfers (direct admits) coming from hospitals and other approved referral sources.
7. Identifies potential problematic disposition cases, including placement problems, medical needs or developmental delays, and seeks supervision prior to acceptance.
8. Accurately and thoroughly enters information into the electronic medical records system in accordance with departmental protocol.
9. Accurately and thoroughly reviews and complete all admission paperwork, ensures patient signature on all required areas. All information is reviewed with patient in an understandable manner with consideration of age and ability.
10. Demonstrates knowledge of voluntary admission and involuntary procedures for court commitment.
11. Coordinates and arranges for emergency medical or psychiatric care in the event a patient is medically compromised or if we cannot accommodate the patient; completes Memorandum of Transfer form accordingly.
12. Makes appropriate referral for alternative level of care or notifies referral source for follow up if patient is determined not to be appropriate for admission. Completes referrals and Crisis Safety Plan for patients being referred out.
13. Documents in a clear, concise, and timely manner. Utilizes appropriate terminology in documentation.
14. Exhibits excellent customer relations skills as evidenced by supportive and constructive communication with all contacts including coworkers, patients, visitors, families and referral sources.
15. Promotes a safe work environment for self, patients, and coworkers by complying with environment of care, safety, infection control and universal precaution guidelines.
16. Acquires and maintains current knowledge in assessment techniques, crisis intervention, varying levels of care and available resources.
17. Participates in staff meetings, hospital committees, program development and innovations which will enhance the quality of services provided to patients.

Environmental Conditions: Works in general office environment and hospital units/programs. Exposure to psychiatric patients, who may exhibit violent/aggressive behavior. Potential for exposure to communicable diseases, blood/bodily fluids and other hazardous waste. General hospital environment.

Physical Requirements: Ability to communicate verbally, telephonically and in writing. Physical agility to manage patients. Push, pull and lift up to 40 pounds. Intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending and stooping. Drug and alcohol free as evidenced by negative results of post-offer, pre-employment urine drug screen. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity: UHS is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees and applicants. It is our policy to ensure that both current and prospective employees are afforded equal employment opportunity without consideration of race, religious creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or, disability in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Admissions Clinician will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by the Admissions Director.