Behavioral Health Navigator I - UPMC Western Maryland (Part-Time)

UPMC•Cumberland, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Western Behavioral Health is hiring a part-time Behavioral Health Navigator I to support UPMC Western Maryland. The role assesses and navigates patients and families in collaboration with attending psychiatrists and other staff in the Western Maryland Emergency Department and Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. The Navigator develops initial treatment plans to support disposition planning and helps with bed placement or other disposition decisions. The role identifies patient acuity and facilitates effective communication about patient care, operations, and disposition. The position involves varied shifts, including days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Shifts are typically 4 to 5 hours, depending on department needs. Master's-level candidates and candidates with Maryland licensure, including LGPC, LCPC, LMSW, or LCSW-C, are strongly preferred. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts, if applicable, must be included with the application. The required certification is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The employee may be in rooms where medications are stored, but contact with medications is not allowed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work and one year of direct mental health care experience, or a master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work.
Other fields of study may be considered with at least 12 credits in human services and/or relevant mental health experience.
Ability to respond calmly and effectively, using good clinical judgment, to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Ability to identify problems, implement resolutions, and reassess situations or problems.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact directly, professionally, tactfully, and graciously with professional and non-professional contacts.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to work under stress with unpredictable patient flow in a sometimes-crowded work environment.
Warm, friendly, caring, kind, and hospitable disposition toward patients and colleagues.
Openness and willingness to learn.
Flexible schedule and ability to work rotating shifts.
Consistent history of delivering services with a service-excellent attitude.
Ability and willingness to work in a managed care environment.
Excellent face-to-face, telephone, and nonverbal communication skills, with a courteous and gracious manner.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Undergraduate and graduate transcripts, if applicable, must be included with the application.

Nice To Haves

Master's-level education is strongly preferred.
Maryland licensure is strongly preferred, including LGPC, LCPC, LMSW, or LCSW-C.

Responsibilities

Meet documentation standards and complete required paperwork, including psychiatric evaluations and commitment paperwork.
Use DSM-V and develop provisional diagnoses.
Apply knowledge of mental health laws and review inpatient commitments for accuracy, competency, and proper time frames.
Understand insurance programs and processes and obtain authorizations as needed.
Participate in interdisciplinary activities, including staff meetings and assigned committees.
Maintain competency requirements.
Learn and use up-to-date technology for patient care, assessment, disposition, and referral planning.
Handle a sizable volume of calls efficiently and direct callers to appropriate resources or services.
Follow outpatient scheduling or referral documentation guidelines.
Respond promptly to appointment or inpatient admission requests received by email, phone, or voicemail.
Review and summarize patient information for behavioral health unit admissions and triage patients for appropriate placement.
Present cases verbally to physicians and others.
Use triage and assessment skills to determine medical necessity or appropriate outpatient clinic placement.
Provide accurate and timely information to coworkers, physicians, and outside agencies in a professional and courteous manner.
Access social systems by providing resource-specific information to patients and families, contacting appropriate resources, and helping patients and families accept referrals.