Assessment Clinician, Peace Hospital

UofL Health•Louisville, KY

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Assessment Clinician I evaluates people seeking behavioral health or substance use treatment, determines whether admission is justified, and coordinates level-of-care expectations with physicians, Assessment Referral Center personnel, patient care units, and external agencies. The clinician may conduct evaluations at local hospitals, UofL Peace Hospital, and other community agencies or facilities, and may serve pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. The role also includes coordinating referrals and intake, developing provisional diagnoses and treatment recommendations, and completing insurance pre-certifications or prior authorizations. The clinician assesses psychological, social, and treatment needs using information gathered from patients, families, and collateral sources, including schools, outpatient therapists, and community providers. The role records and communicates clinical information to physicians and interdisciplinary teams, presents clinical information to medical providers, and collaborates with nursing staff to determine appropriate levels of care and medical needs. Assessment Referral Center clinicians employed by the hospital and qualified by education, experience, and demonstrated current competence are considered Qualified Medical Persons under the UofL Health EMTALA policy for emergency behavioral health and substance use screening exams. The position requires a relevant master's degree and Basic Life Support certification. Facility-provided Safe Crisis Management training is also required. The clinician must maintain professional development, comply with organizational policies and standards, protect confidentiality and sensitive information, and provide effective service to patients, families, providers, and community partners.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Family and Marriage Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, or another related field.
Basic Life Support certification accredited by the American Heart Association.
Completion of facility-provided Safe Crisis Management training.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to learn relevant systems and databases, including electronic medical record systems and telehealth programs.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences, learning and motivation, psychological research methods, and assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
Social perceptiveness, active listening, critical thinking, service orientation, and problem sensitivity.
Ability to break down problems or tasks and use knowledge and experience to identify causes and consequences of events.
Valid driver’s license for Mobile Assessment Clinicians only.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in the mental health field.
Previous experience in crisis intervention or an assessment/diagnostic setting.

Responsibilities

Evaluate individuals seeking behavioral health or substance use treatment and determine justification for admission.
Conduct evaluations at local hospitals, UofL Peace Hospital, and other community agencies and facilities.
Refer patients to appropriate services and assist with intake for patients who are admitted.
Determine provisional diagnoses and discuss treatment recommendations with patients, families, and medical providers.
Coordinate level-of-care expectations with physicians, Assessment Referral Center personnel, patient care units, and external agencies.
Develop relationships with community partners by consistently providing quality services.
Assess patients’ psychological, social, and treatment needs using information from patients, families, and collateral sources such as schools, outpatient therapists, and community providers.
Establish provisional diagnoses based on thorough level-of-care assessments.
Record and communicate clinical information to physicians and interdisciplinary treatment teams as indicated.
Perform insurance prior authorizations and pre-certifications for patients evaluated.
Present detailed clinical information to medical providers and collaborate with nursing staff to assess the appropriate level of care and patients’ medical needs.
Maintain professional development and education.
Provide appropriate referrals based on clinical assessments and communicate relevant information about treatment programs and patient rights to patients and families.
Apply an understanding of legal issues associated with assessment, voluntary admission, EMTALA, and Mental Inquest Warrant processes.
Provide assessment services for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations as needed.
Comply with company policies, procedures, standards of conduct, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, and confidentiality expectations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrate service, professionalism, and organizational values; protect sensitive data; follow safety standards; collaborate with team members; and provide effective customer service to patients, families, physicians, staff, visitors, and the broader healthcare community.