Assessment Coordinator – Full-Time, Varied Shifts

UHS•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) is seeking a compassionate, clinically skilled Assessment Coordinator to serve as an initial point of contact for individuals seeking behavioral health services. The role conducts comprehensive assessments, coordinates admissions, and helps patients and families navigate next steps in care. The coordinator collaborates with clinical professionals, referral partners, and hospital departments to support timely, appropriate, patient-centered care. The position is suited to a licensed behavioral health professional with sound clinical judgment who can work in a fast-paced clinical environment. The Assessment Coordinator supports efficient admissions operations, assessment coverage, patient access, and continuity of services, while contributing to departmental quality assurance, staff development, and process improvement. PIW has provided behavioral healthcare to children, adolescents, and adults in the Washington, D.C. community for nearly 50 years. Its 130-bed facility offers inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. The organization describes a collaborative team committed to compassionate, patient-centered care and opportunities for career development.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work or a clinical mental health field.
Current Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential in the District of Columbia.
At least one year of experience working in a psychiatric and chemical dependency setting.
One to three years of intake or admissions experience in a managed care setting.
CPR/BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
Experience collaborating with referral agencies and community providers to support patient care.
Working knowledge of crisis intervention procedures and behavioral health assessment practices.
Working knowledge of voluntary and involuntary admissions procedures, including court commitment processes.

Nice To Haves

Organization, adaptability, confidence assessing complex patient needs, effective communication, strong clinical judgment, compassion, professionalism, and commitment to patient-centered care and collaboration are described as qualities that will help the candidate succeed; they are not listed as required qualifications.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive clinical needs assessments, evaluate patient presentations, and determine appropriate clinical dispositions.
Facilitate admissions by completing pre-evaluation questionnaires, documenting assessments, and maintaining accurate patient admission, discharge, and census records.
Coordinate with clinical supervisors and interdisciplinary teams to prioritize assessments, complex cases, follow-up needs, and 24-hour assessment coverage.
Schedule diagnostic evaluations, confirm appointments, and follow up with patients to promote timely access to care and continuity of services.
Collaborate with Business Office and Utilization Review teams to support insurance verification, financial arrangements, and required admission certifications.
Guide patients and families through admissions, explain hospital expectations, provide facility tours, and advocate for patient needs.
Communicate professionally with referral sources, community providers, and clinical partners to support coordinated admissions and referral relationships.
Support departmental operations, including admissions processing, quality assurance activities, staff development, documentation review, and continuous process improvement.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
Additional insurance coverage, including life insurance, disability insurance, and pet insurance
Pre-tax Metro SmartTrip benefits
401(k) with company match
Discounted stock plan
Tuition reimbursement
Student loan repayment program
SoFi student loan refinancing program
Career development opportunities within UHS and its subsidiaries