Easton, Weekends, Nights)

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Easton, PA

27d

About The Position

The Crisis Intervention Specialist provides comprehensive crisis intervention for patients and families seeking psychiatric symptom assessment, including coordinating admissions and referrals. The position also helps hospital services and external customers access the network’s Behavioral Health Services. Work involves conducting assessments in the Emergency Department and/or Walk In Center, recommending appropriate levels of care, coordinating referrals and placement with clinical teams, supporting patient flow, and serving as a liaison for other hospital and network sites. The specialist maintains knowledge of mental health regulations and patient admission status, responds to agitation or violent behavior using de-escalation and, when needed, restraint or seclusion procedures, supports utilization management pre-certification, and monitors the therapeutic environment.

Requirements

At least one year of direct clinical mental health or crisis intervention experience.
Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: a bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 2–6 years of equivalent job experience, or a master’s degree in a human services field and 1–3 years of equivalent job experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Previous experience with case management, utilization review, and managed care models.

Responsibilities

Conduct intake assessments for patients presenting with mental health needs in the Emergency Department and/or Walk In Center, and recommend an appropriate level of care.
Coordinate referral decisions and patient placement with physicians, advanced practitioners, other care team members, and Behavioral Health staff.
Coordinate with Behavioral Health team members to support patient flow and appropriate placement.
Serve as a liaison for other hospital and network sites.
Support requests from other patient care areas regarding patients with mental health needs, when able.
Maintain knowledge of mental health regulations and procedures related to patient rights and voluntary or involuntary admission status.
Respond as a Control Team member to agitation or violent behavior using verbal de-escalation and, when necessary, physical restraint.
Provide competent care for agitated or violent patients who may require seclusion or restraints.
Support utilization management, including the pre-certification process for intakes and consults.
Monitor the therapeutic environment as necessary.
Perform other related duties as assigned.