ASSESSMENT COORD (MA/MSW)

UHS•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services is seeking an Assessment Coordinator to conduct suicide risk screenings and assessments and receive Helpline and referral calls. The coordinator collects data for clinical assessments, obtains initial insurance authorization, completes the admission process, communicates with the Business Office about financial issues, and gathers intake information for physician disposition. The position also reviews residential treatment center referrals from agencies and completes referral follow-up, including sending acceptance or decline letters as needed. The role supports patients and families through referrals and admissions, coordinates with physicians, nursing personnel, insurance companies, and other departments, and maintains accurate documentation and computer records. The position includes participation in a weekly on-call rotation, which may involve taking hospital transfer calls from home and coordinating with the on-call physician and House Supervisor regarding referrals and bed availability.

Requirements

MSW or an MS in a mental health discipline.
Experience completing psychiatric assessments.
Effective leadership skills.
Ability to establish rapport quickly by telephone or in person.
Computer literacy and excellent clerical skills.
Successful completion of a background check, including criminal history, Child Abuse and Neglect Registry, and ABI/FBI fingerprint checks, and a drug screen.
Attend eight business days of New Employee Orientation on day shift; orientation is normally 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, then Monday through Wednesday.
Participate in a weekly on-call rotation.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience in intake, a psychiatric setting (outpatient or inpatient), and crisis intervention.
Experience in insurance benefits verification and admission precertification.
Familiarity with medical and psychiatric terminology and psychotropic medications.

Responsibilities

Receive Helpline and referral calls and relay information for timely follow-up.
Inform callers about Hill Crest Behavioral Health programs and services.
Follow up on Helpline calls, missed appointments, and waiting lists.
Offer and schedule on-site assessments.
Maintain a phone log.
Communicate with the appropriate physician regarding recommendations for disposition.
Coordinate the admission process with nursing personnel.
Enter information into the computer with 95% accuracy, including admissions, transfers, and discharges.
Complete the admission process in less than two hours.
Participate in a weekly on-call rotation, including handling hospital transfer calls from home as needed, reviewing potential referrals in Concord, entering calls in MS4, and coordinating with the on-call physician and House Supervisor about bed availability.
Complete pages 1–8 of assessments correctly at least 95% of the time.
Distribute admission forms to the appropriate departments with 95% accuracy.
Demonstrate effective leadership skills.
Assist with bed control and census reconciliation as needed.
Complete documentation and assessments accurately.
Work with insurance companies to secure authorization for inpatient care and complete precertification.
Maintain working knowledge of DSM-V/ICD-10 diagnoses and codes.
Complete safety checks during admissions.
Contact petitioners as needed to obtain clinical or medical information.
Assist patients and families in obtaining accurate insurance information as needed.
Advocate for patients during insurance precertification as needed.
Contact referral sources during low census regarding bed availability.
Respond to web inquiries about Hill Crest services as needed.
Demonstrate knowledge of the continuum of care among acute, residential, and group-home settings.
Perform Q12-minute checks on patients at admission.
Complete vital signs on patients at admission.
Complete High Risk Notification Forms for patients at admission.
Complete the Columbia screening and lifetime assessment.
Review residential treatment center referrals from Kidlink and other agencies as needed.
Perform other duties assigned or required by the position.