Behavioral Health Care Coordinator-LICSW, Behavioral Health Patient Access

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Care Coordinator provides assessment, crisis evaluation, suicide assessment and intervention, referrals, and individual, family, or group therapy to patients awaiting transfer, including patients in the emergency department. The role aims to reduce non-therapeutic waiting time and integrate primary and behavioral healthcare. The coordinator provides brief interventions and support, keeps the care team informed, and documents assessments and interventions clearly and promptly. The position includes care coordination, discharge planning, utilization review, insurance authorization, communication with patients and families, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, community agencies, ESP, and Case Management. When an ESP provider cannot complete a crisis evaluation within one hour, the coordinator may conduct one for hospitalized patients after obtaining prior authorization from Mass Health, then follow up with the ESP provider for the next 24-hour evaluation. The coordinator may also provide assessment, therapy, and intervention on Watkins 1, Watkins 2, ICU, and OBS upon request. This is a per diem role with hours varying according to operational needs. The position reports directly to the Director of Care Transitions and indirectly to the Unit Manager and Practice Leader. The role requires a master's degree in a related field and Massachusetts licensure as an LICSW or LMHC.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Service, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited graduate program.
Massachusetts licensure as an LICSW or LMHC.
Three to five years of experience working with psychiatric populations.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to assess and treat psychiatric problems clearly.
Working knowledge of community resources and how to access them.
Good knowledge of counseling and crisis intervention techniques.
Ability to relate well with people and deal confidently with other service providers.
Tact, courtesy, integrity, good judgment, flexibility, and adaptability to change.

Nice To Haves

Experience and/or understanding of emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient behavioral health needs.
Current working knowledge of insurance providers.
Addiction experience.

Responsibilities

Provide assessments, crisis evaluations as identified, suicide assessments and interventions, referrals, and individual, family, or group therapy to patients awaiting transfer.
Complete assessments fully, clearly, concisely, and promptly according to standards.
Provide brief interventions and medical, behavioral health, and psychosocial support as part of the care team, keeping the team informed of patient progress.
Provide therapeutic interventions to help patients manage stressors, trauma, and behaviors while awaiting emergency department processes, and document interventions promptly.
Document patient and family participation, multidisciplinary involvement, planning information, and discharge planning activities in accordance with departmental requirements and state and federal regulations.
Complete statistical records for closed cases, including hours, contacts, and services provided, and submit closed cases to the department secretary within 24 hours after discharge.
Maintain awareness of departmental policies and state and federal regulatory requirements, including JCAHO, DMH, and DPH guidelines.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about care plans and coordinate with physicians, hospital staff, community agencies, and other multidisciplinary team members on insurance, discharge planning, and referrals.
When the ESP provider cannot provide a crisis evaluation within the one-hour timeline, obtain prior Mass Health authorization and conduct an ESP crisis evaluation for hospitalized patients when appropriate; follow up with the ESP provider for the next 24-hour evaluation.
Coordinate care transitions and respond to the unit team in a timely, efficient, and respectful manner.
Work with ESP and Case Management to obtain insurance authorization for admission, hospitalization, and discharge planning or aftercare services.
Participate in clinical supervision and/or peer review.
Keep the department director informed of issues, trends, and needs weekly or more frequently as necessary.
Inform patients of their rights when indicated, including rights related to discharge planning, guardianship, court commitments, admission or hospitalization, Section 12, Section 35, advance directives, power of attorney, and health care proxy.
Provide assessment, therapy, and intervention on Watkins 1, Watkins 2, ICU, and OBS upon request.
Perform other job-related duties as requested.