Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist

Summary : Provides emergency psychiatric and substance abuse assessment, diagnosis, and crisis intervention to patients / families identified by the Emergency Department or Medical floor as having psychiatric, substance abuse consultation and / or social needs. This may include referral and placement at inpatient facilities or outpatient discharge planning with patients / families. Provides a comprehensive first evaluation for patients in the involuntary commitment process. In a manner that upholds Granville Health System (GHS) mission and quality standards and results in better patient health outcomes and overall satisfaction and stronger operational and fiscal capacity of GHS.

Duties :

Under indirect supervision, provides and / or administers wide range of psychosocial evaluation / assessment, diagnostic, counseling therapy, crisis intervention, and placement services in a high intensity environment that requires a high degree of independent decision-making and self-starting. Most aspects of the job require clinical skills to consumers who report in crisis in GHS Emergency Department. Case management and support services for Transitional Care for ED, 3rd medical / surgical and primary care practices. Other Transitional Care case management tasks in the ED as well as within GHS. Behavioral Health responsibilities in this role may include : completing Psychosocial Assessments; developing, implementing and reviewing treatment plan; case management discharge planning. Additional Social Worker duties may include facilitation of smooth transition for patients from one level of care to another using available resources.

Job Functions

1. Provides behavioral health assessment, in partnership with the ED physician, to patients who present to the Emergency Department including recommendations for level of care needs

2. Completes comprehensive first evaluations for patients under Involuntary Petition

3. Facilitates disposition to inpatient Behavioral Health units as appropriate

4. Coordinates / Develops appropriate safety plan / measures if patient’s plan is to be discharged to the community

5. Provides brief, solution-focused interventions to patients with the goal of assisting in stabilizing crisis

6. Provides information to hospital staff related to community resources and behavioral health processes. Coordinates with outpatient Behavioral Health service providers to create continuity of care including securing outpatient appointments as necessary.

7. Completes behavioral health consultations with patients that present for medical services throughout the hospital system

8. Assists Providers : Psychosocial Assessments; Discharge planning; Treatment plan development and review.

9. Monitors compliance with standards of care for patients with behavioral health needs in the Emergency Department. This includes making recommendations related to maintaining a safe environment of care and level of observation needs of the patient.

10. Actively participates in data collection for patients with behavioral health needs

11. Knowledgeable of community agency resources and able to facilitate processes involved in obtaining the same.

12. Able to provide patients / families with information regarding available financial assistance options, i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, etc. Facilitate referrals for financial assistance by providing names and numbers of contact persons and locations.

13. Knowledgeable of available support groups in the area and able to supply information as needed.

14. Provides concise and informative documentation in the medical record regarding patient, family or physician encounters, services or resources provided or information given regarding these.

15. Assists with transfer arrangements for case management patients.

16. Provides input into resource utilization and appropriate care settings.

17. Maintains positive working relations with Behavioral Health, skilled care, long term care, rehab, nursing home facilities as well as home health and durable medical agencies.

Required :

1. Education : Master’s Degree in Social Science is required. Masters in Social Work preferred, but not required.

2. Licensure : Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

3. Minimum 2 years’ experience providing care in mental health, counseling, and / or substance abuse field is preferred, but not required.

Preferred :

1. Experience providing crisis services

2. Experience working in the Emergency Department

3. Experience working on an inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

4. Knowledge of Recovery and Wellness Philosophy 5. Notary

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