Behavioral Health Specialist I - Evenings - Geisinger South Wilkes Barre Emergency Department

Geisinger•Wilkes-Barre, PA

35d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist works in collaboration with the patient care team to provide assessment and coordination of care for mental health, behavioral health, and social needs for patients throughout the hospital. This position facilitates communication between patients, families, healthcare professionals, community and state agencies, and other interdisciplinary team members. The role involves psychological assessment, crisis intervention, input on treatment decisions, case management, patient advocacy, care coordination, and community outreach. Specific duties include contacting psychiatric inpatient facilities for placement, faxing patient records, obtaining pre-authorization, arranging transportation, completing crisis safety plans, setting up outpatient follow-up appointments, and coordinating with drug and alcohol facilities for inpatient rehab admissions. The specialist records all information in the medical record, involves patients and families in care, determines treatment goals, makes arrangements for patient transfers, and acts as a resource for information and referrals. The role also includes assisting with insurance verification and authorization, participating in an interdisciplinary team to ensure patient progress, and serving as a liaison between the hospital and community agencies. The specialist identifies high-risk patients, assesses psychological needs, provides support and counseling, resolves psychosocial issues, and develops transition/discharge plans. Work is typically performed in a clinical environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree-Related Field of Study (Required)
Communication
Medical Records Management
Patients Rights

Nice To Haves

Occasional weekend rotation depending on department needs
Travel to Geisinger Wyoming Valley (GWV) will be required based on staffing needs.
On select shifts, the team member will provide coverage across both assigned sites.
On other shifts, coverage will be shared with additional team members at GWV to ensure consistent support.
Routine travel to Geisinger Community Medical Center (GCMC) is not expected.
However, there may be occasional opportunities to assist with remote coverage as needed.
As part of ongoing system-wide support initiatives, this role also includes assisting with bed placement and coordination across additional campuses.
Geisinger reserves the right to consider applicants for higher levels of this role to include Behavioral Health Specialist II based on their skills, qualifications, and experience.

Responsibilities

Functions as a member of a professional team which provides evaluation and treatment for psychiatric patients including but not limited to: psychological assessment, crisis intervention, input on treatment decisions, case management, patient advocacy, care coordination, and community outreach
Contact psychiatric inpatient facilities to obtain placement for the patient, fax all patients records pertaining to this admission for review, obtain pre-authorization from insurance company, arrange transportation to the facility.
For patients discharged from the ED, completes a crisis safety plan and set-up outpatient follow-up appointments.
Completes patient signature of authorization to release medical information to the facility.
Outreach and coordination to drug and alcohol facilities to obtain admission to inpatient rehab for patients meeting the criteria.
Obtains information from patients and other appropriate sources upon which treatment recommendations are initiated, records all information in medical record.
Involves patient, family and others as appropriate in delivery of care and treatment recommendations.
Works with patient to determine goals to be achieved during course of treatment.
Makes arrangements for safe and expedient transfer of patients as required.
Acts as a resource of information, and a referral source, for patients and families, care team members, etc.
Sets up appointments, arranges for follow-up treatment as indicated.
Strives to support quality patient care, patient satisfaction and to assist in the accomplishment of related goals.
Assists with insurance verification and authorization procedures.
Part of interdisciplinary team that ensures the patients progress in the acute episode of care through post discharge and is quality driven while being efficient and cost effective.
Interacts with patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and community and state agencies.
Serving as a liaison between the hospital and community agencies or facilities for the exchanges of clinical and referral information.
Identifies high risk patients from a psychosocial/financial perspective, assesses the psychological needs of patients and families, and provides information, support, counseling, care management, and referrals to appropriate resources.
Resolve psychosocial patient care issues and to develop and implement a complex patient transition/discharge plan.

Benefits

Full benefits (medical, dental and vision) starting on day one
Three medical plan choices, including an expanded network for out-of-area employees and dependents
Pre-tax savings plans with healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA) with employer contribution
Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
401(k) plan that includes automatic Geisinger contributions
Generous paid time off (PTO) plan that allows you to accrue time quickly
Up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year
MyHealth Rewards wellness program to improve your health while earning a financial incentive
Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance, parental leave pay, military leave pay and a free Care.com membership with discounted backup care for your loved ones
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Referrals for childcare, eldercare, & pet care; Access free legal guidance, mental health visits, work-life support, digital self-help tools and more
Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, identity theft protection, universal life and pet and legal insurance
healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners.
atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality.