Assessment & Referral Manager

UHS•Aiken, SC

About The Position

Aiken Regional Medical Centers, located in Aiken, South Carolina, is a 273-bed acute care facility providing top quality and safe healthcare to the residents of Aiken and surrounding communities since 1917. Aiken Regional Medical Centers has been ranked a top hospital in South Carolina by the American Heart Association for its treatment of heart attack, heart failure and Stroke, and most recently, coronary artery disease. Additionally, Aiken Regional provides comprehensive healthcare services such as behavioral health (Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health), emergency medical care (main hospital and ER at Sweetwater), orthopedic surgeries, maternity, rehabilitation services(Hitchcock Rehabilitation Services), imaging, and wound care. Visit us online at: https://www.aikenregional.com The Assessment and Referral Manager is responsible for complete oversight of day to day activities for staff in Intake departments, serving as the subject matter expert to collaborate with medical staff, department leaders, admin, case mangers and therapist for both inpatient and outpatient programs at Aurora Pavilion. As a clinician, this position provides direction to a staff for psychiatric assessment services, including clinical evaluations, crisis intervention, and referrals. Serves as a liaison with other hospital intake departments. Responds to Codes as requested. Hours are based on departmental, and facility needs and may include day, evening, and weekend hours, as directed by the CEO/Executive Director. Participates in Administrator on Call if requested by CEO/Executive Director. Monitors and assures all referral sources are responded to in a timely manner. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or related human services field needed for state licensure required.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years experience in assessment and referrals within a behavioral health setting. Leadership experience is preferred. Knowledge of psychiatric/chemical dependency treatment in the State of SC, must be able to identify and address the special needs of child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients; must also be able to communicate effectively with the patients experiencing psychiatric or behavioral health distress symptoms of instability. Excellent computer skills required, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills necessary to gather and exchange data with both internal and external key medical professionals. Must have good oral/ written communication, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, analytical skills, and strong customer service skills to communicate with potential patients, family, or third parties regarding service lines. Must have advanced knowledge of medical terminology in healthcare role. Knowledge of insurance and managed care verification of benefits and authorization process preferred. Possesses strong time management skills.
License or Registration Requirements: LCSW, LISC, or LPC credentials or eligibility to sit for License in the state of SC required. BLS required upon hire.
Training: CPI Training required by 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Develop, guide, and direct the Intake department in conjunction with the Medical Staff.
Actively participate and clearly define departmental objectives, goals, and strategies to staff.
Serve as a role model for professional conduct, effective communication, service excellence, and clinical competence.
Identify and intervene in problem areas in a timely and appropriate manner.
Maintain skill level and assist The Intake Department with responsibilities as needed.
Maintain clinically appropriate staffing protocols for all areas served.
Work with Ancillary/support departments to ensure operational issues are addressed.
Flexibility in scheduling such that off hour’s operations receive attention and opportunity to interact on a regular basis.
Effectively lead staff and serve as primary resource for employee coaching, scheduling and information.
Design, develop, and provide training/educational opportunities for the Intake Department.
Provide coaching/counseling as needed to the Intake staff.
Work to recruit and retain high quality staff members.
Directs the screening of potential patients for admission into the program and initiate the integrated assessment process.
Ensures completion and oversight of involuntary documentation in conjunction with the social work department
Assist in oversight and supervisor for social work/therapy interns
As a clinician, assists administration, physicians and clinical staff in the assessment of pending admits determining appropriateness of level of care and communicates pending admissions to the Nursing Department.
Use the approved admission criteria and make decisions concerning the level of care for treatment using the least restrictive level appropriate. The plan for episode of care is initiated at admission to all levels of care.
Monitors all intake/reservation information calls during normal business hours and prepares appropriate internal forms.
Plans, coordinates and evaluates direct and indirect facility assessments and patient admissions.
Ensures that all vital patient assessment information is referred accurately to the attending physicians, and that patient historical information obtained is complete to facilitate an accurate determination for the appropriate level of care.
Process incident reports, conduct investigations, and corrective plans when needed.
Serves in an administrative capacity to serve as Administrator on Call
Oversees and manages all aspects of the Admission/Intake/Respond department processes and procedures
Assure that hiring, disciplinary actions and termination procedures are conducted in accordance with hospital policies.
Involve appropriate facility management in all decisions, and review these decisions with CEO/Executive Director prior to implementation.
Create a structure that best meets the needs of the organization, particularly department organization related to supervision and assignment of staff.
Model and teach appropriate social skills.
Apply appropriate crisis intervention techniques, as required.
Responds to emergency codes as requested or assigned; utilize proper verbal de-escalation, seclusion, and restraint procedures.
Assumes personal responsibility for continuing education and professional development.
Attends all department and mandatory in-services and contribute to the departmental educational activities.
Other duties as assigned