Clinical Screener

Spectrum Health & Human Services•Orchard Park, NY

6d•$17 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Screener supports timely access to behavioral health services by serving as an initial point of contact for people seeking care. This position conducts preliminary screenings, gathers relevant information, identifies presenting needs, and utilizes established protocols to help determine urgency and risk acuity. This position helps orient individuals to Spectrum's services, reduces barriers to engagement, supports referral coordination, and promotes a welcoming, respectful, trauma-informed access experience.

Requirements

Associate or Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, healthcare, or a related field required.
Ability to conduct preliminary screenings and gather relevant information in a calm, organized, and professional manner.
Sound judgment and ability to follow established triage, escalation, and emergency response procedures.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Must possess skill and knowledge related to all facets of programmatic services.
Work effectively on multiple tasks concurrently.
Present a strong professional image.
Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and respond appropriately to urgent or sensitive situations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, electronic health records, databases, phone systems, and other technology platforms used in daily work.
Demonstrate excellent leadership; meet deadlines and work under pressure.
Must have sensitivity to individuals with a behavioral health diagnosis and an ability to respond calmly to distress or upset in others.

Nice To Haves

Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use, trauma-informed care, and community-based human services preferred.
One year of experience in a human services, behavioral health, substance use, healthcare, crisis, care coordination, call center, intake, or customer service setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as an initial point of contact for individuals seeking behavioral health or related support services.
Conducts preliminary screenings to gather information regarding presenting concerns, current needs, service history, referral source, and potential barriers to care.
Uses established agency procedures, screening questions, and triage guidelines to help identify urgency, risk acuity, and appropriate next steps.
Recognizes indicators of elevated risk, including suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, acute distress, withdrawal concerns, safety concerns, psychosis, severe impairment, or other urgent needs.
Promptly connects individuals with elevated risk, crisis concerns, or complex clinical needs to an appropriate clinical team member, supervisor, crisis service, or emergency resource in accordance with agency procedures.
Differentiates between routine access needs, urgent access needs, and situations requiring immediate clinical or crisis response.
Supports timely connection to services, including same-day or next-available access when clinically or operationally indicated.
Escalates barriers, concerns, or unusual circumstances to a supervisor or clinical team member in a timely manner.
Communicates relevant screening and referral information to appropriate clinical, access, or administrative staff to support timely follow-up and continuity of care.
Provides a welcoming, respectful, and trauma-informed access experience for individuals, families, referral sources, and community partners.
Orients individuals to Spectrum's available services and helps to explain the access process, appointment expectations, and next steps.
Helps match individuals with the most appropriate available service pathway based on identified needs, eligibility, urgency, location, and program availability.
Uses engagement strategies to reduce barriers to care, promote follow-through, and support successful connection to services.
Responds calmly and professionally to individuals who may be distressed or ambivalent about seeking services.
Collaborates with clinic, access center, and program staff to support coordinated entry into services.
Serves as a point of contact for referral sources, including community providers, hospitals, schools, courts, county partners, family members, and other entities seeking access to services.
Accurately documents screening information, presenting concerns, referral needs, triage actions, follow-up steps, and outcomes in accordance with agency procedures.
Collects demographic, insurance, referral, contact, and other required information from individuals seeking services, as appropriate.
Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information in accordance with agency policies, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 when applicable, and other privacy requirements.
Ensures documentation is completed timely and supports appropriate communication between access, clinical, and program teams.
Demonstrates agency core values in all daily activities and interactions.
Maintains a professional, compassionate, and nonjudgmental approach when interacting with individuals served, families, staff, referral sources, and community partners.
Uses trauma-informed and person-centered communication to support dignity, choice, safety, and engagement.
Works effectively in a fast-paced access environment with multiple calls, referrals, tasks, and competing priorities.
Represents the agency positively and professionally in all communications.