Crisis Intervention Specialist, Per Diem, Marlborough Campus

UMass Memorial Health•Marlborough, MA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides crisis evaluations for patients in the Psychiatric Service, both on and off site, serving young children, adults, and geriatric patients. Uses current DSM-5 terminology to conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and support treatment planning. Coordinates system treatment meetings and works with patients, families, and multidisciplinary providers on treatment implementation, individual and group therapy, community services, and discharge planning. Works with insurance companies to meet requirements for referrals to inpatient and outpatient care and diversion programs while advocating for patients. The role includes assessing psychosocial history and mental status, triaging psychiatric emergency calls, determining appropriate levels of care, coordinating referrals and case-management services, and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment. The specialist documents evaluations and dispositions, meets managed-care and regulatory requirements, participates in quality improvement, and maintains required clinical competencies and certifications. The position works indoors in a patient-care office environment and is considered sedentary, although it may involve responding to psychiatric emergencies and restraining out-of-control patients while maintaining safety.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Human Services or equivalent.
Must be license-eligible upon hire for LICSW, LCSW, or LMHC. If not licensed upon hire, must obtain an LICSW or LCSW license within 18 months of hire, or an LMHC license within 24 months of hire.
One to three years of experience in psychiatry or mental health.
Demonstrated ability in psychosocial assessment, knowledge of community resources, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and working with a multidisciplinary team.
Excellent written and communication skills.
Basic computer skills.
Must maintain basic life support (BLS) certification every two years.
Must maintain psychiatric competencies, including annual CARE training.
Unless certification, licensure, or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides proficiency in the listed responsibilities may be substituted for the stated requirements.

Nice To Haves

LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC licensure.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychosocial histories and mental-status assessments for patients in psychiatric crisis at the University campus and at off-site locations.
Determine and assign appropriate levels of care, including inpatient, outpatient, and diversion programs, and provide information and referrals to specialized programs such as substance-use detoxification and rehabilitation.
Develop and maintain a safe therapeutic environment; participate in psychiatric emergencies, including restraint of out-of-control patients, while maintaining safety in the milieu.
Triage calls involving psychiatric emergencies, including suicidal ideation or attempts; determine needed interventions, identify clinical resources, and make referrals.
Serve as a referral source for patients, family members, and agency staff.
Facilitate and coordinate access to psychiatric treatment and social services, including financial assistance, health insurance, community-based care, and medical contracts or collaboration.
Assess factors related to the need for care, adjustment to care, and response to treatment, and document findings in the clinical record.
Coordinate treatment planning and communication with outpatient providers, including psychiatric outpatient providers, social services, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and visiting nurses.
Maintain current knowledge of managed-care requirements for notification, clinical presentations, pre-certification, billing, and faxing.
Document evaluations, assessments, consultations, referrals, and dispositions in compliance with regulatory requirements and to support patient outcomes.
Participate in quality-improvement activities and related data collection.
Maintain required service logs and code for billing according to current practice.
Obtain vital signs and specimens as ordered and use the computer ordering system to facilitate sending specimens to the laboratory.
Participate in orientation or training for new staff, students, and others.
Pursue continuing education to maintain licensure and professional expertise and stay current with trends.
Maintain basic life support certification every two years and psychiatric competencies, including annual CARE training.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, health and safety requirements, and quality-improvement practices.
Attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed; maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance; and perform other similar duties as required.
Demonstrate respect for diverse views and contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment for employees, patients, and visitors.