Assessment Specialist

Lifepoint Health•Georgetown, TX

About The Position

The Assessment Specialist responds to inquiry calls and helps callers schedule face-to-face assessments or connects them with appropriate community referrals. The role assesses, or ensures assessment by a qualified mental health professional of, patients presenting for assessment and screens for medical and behavioral emergencies. It provides comprehensive assessment and quality therapeutic care to people seeking treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric or emotional disorders, coordinating with the clinical team or on-call physician to meet needs at the facility or through appropriate community providers. The specialist explains treatment to patients and families to help reduce fear and other barriers to accepting and continuing care. The role also completes admission and insurance precertification processes as necessary. This position is full-time on the night shift, scheduled Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and reports to the Assessment Manager/Supervisor.

Requirements

Associate's Degree in Nursing or a Master's degree in Social Work/Counseling.
Current clinical, social work, or RN license as required by state regulations.
CPR and De-escalation certification, or obtain certification within 30 days of hire.
Strong clinical assessment skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a psychiatric healthcare facility working with adult and geriatric patients.

Responsibilities

Facilitate responses to requests for services, including the initial response, assessment and referral process, designation of the appropriate level of care, admission into services, and follow-up activity.
Conduct initial evaluations, initiate assessments, document patient symptoms, functioning, and needs, and provide information to the physician for level-of-care determination.
Assist inquiry callers with scheduling face-to-face assessments or triage them to appropriate community referrals.
Assess patients presenting for assessment, or ensure assessment by a qualified mental health professional.
Screen for medical and behavioral emergency conditions.
Provide comprehensive assessment and therapeutic care to patients seeking treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric or emotional disorders.
Coordinate with the clinical team or on-call physician to ensure patient needs are met at the facility or through community providers.
Explain treatment to patients and families to reduce fear and other barriers to accepting and continuing care.
Demonstrate prompt and courteous customer service to patients, physicians, visitors, and coworkers.
Maintain knowledge of Emergency Detention paperwork and processes and EMTALA.
Accurately maintain preadmission and admission paperwork and complete insurance precertifications.