Admissions Social Worker (M-F Nights)

Acadia•Council Bluffs, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital is seeking a full-time Admissions Counselor/Social Worker for its night shift (Monday-Friday, 11 PM - 7 AM). This role is responsible for facilitating admissions, conducting clinical intake assessments, and managing utilization review processes to ensure patients receive the most appropriate level of care and to optimize benefit/resource utilization. The hospital, a partnership between Methodist Health System and Acadia Healthcare, is a new 96-bed inpatient behavioral health facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, aimed at expanding access to behavioral health services in Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha area. Opened in June 2026, it will offer a full continuum of care for adults, seniors, and youth, addressing a significant regional shortage of behavioral health beds.

Requirements

Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN required.
Current licensure preferred.
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

Nice To Haves

One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.
First aid may be preferred based on state or facility.

Responsibilities

Respond to inquiries about the facility within policy timeframes.
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Perform benefit eligibility checks to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission and communicate this information to the business office and the patient/family.
Collaborate with facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations for pending referrals.
Coordinate admissions and transfers from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patients, including medical comorbidity information, is received prior to patient admission when possible.
Schedule and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or their family.
Prepare and maintain appropriate medical record documentation to facilitate authorization from payors.
Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
Admit the patient to the registration and accounting system and complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.
Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers, acknowledging and resolving complaints when patient needs are not met.
Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.
Coordinate care for patients who are not being admitted, ensuring they receive appropriate follow-up care and referrals.
Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15-minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or by individualized supervision guidelines as needed.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.