Crisis Intervention Specialist, Per Diem, Marlborough Campus

UMass Memorial Health•Marlborough, MA

14d•$31 - $55•Onsite

About The Position

Provides crisis evaluations for patients in the Psychiatric Service, on and off site, serving young children, adults, and geriatric patients. Uses current DSM-5 terminology to conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and develop treatment plans. Coordinates treatment meetings, works with patients and families on treatment planning and implementation, provides group and individual therapy, and coordinates community services and discharge planning. Works with insurance companies to meet referral requirements for inpatient, outpatient, and diversion services while advocating for patients. Participates in orientation and training for new staff, students, and others. The role includes assessing psychosocial history and mental status; triaging psychiatric emergency calls; determining appropriate levels of care and referrals; maintaining a safe therapeutic environment; coordinating case management and access to social services and psychiatric care; communicating with outpatient providers; documenting evaluations and dispositions; and supporting quality improvement. The specialist also obtains ordered vital signs and specimens, maintains required service logs and billing codes, completes continuing education, maintains BLS certification every two years, and keeps psychiatric competencies current, including annual CARE training. The position is per diem, with mixed shifts scheduled across Sunday through Saturday and every fourth weekend. The schedule lists zero hours. Work is sedentary and performed indoors in a patient care office environment.

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/Mental Health.
Demonstrated ability in psychosocial assessment, knowledge of community resources, crisis intervention skills, discharge planning, and working with a multidisciplinary team.
Excellent written and communication skills.
Basic computer skills.
Maintain Basic Life Support certification every two years.
Maintain psychiatric competencies, including annual CARE training.

Nice To Haves

LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC licensure.

Responsibilities

Provide psychosocial histories and mental status assessments for patients experiencing psychiatric crises at the University campus and at off-site locations.
Determine and assign the appropriate clinical level of care, including inpatient, outpatient, and diversion programs, and provide information and referrals to specialized intervention programs.
Develop and maintain a safe therapeutic environment and 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 appropriate interventions, identify clinical resources, and make referrals.
Serve as a referral resource for patients, family members, and agency staff.
Coordinate referrals and access to psychiatric treatment and social services, including financial assistance, health insurance, community-based care, and medical 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, social service, and medical providers such as primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and visiting nurses.
Maintain knowledge of and comply with managed-care requirements for notifications, clinical information, pre-certification, billing, and faxing.
Document evaluations, assessments, consultations, referrals, and dispositions to meet regulatory requirements and support patient outcomes.
Participate in quality improvement activities and related data collection.
Maintain required service logs and use current billing codes.
Obtain ordered vital signs and specimens and use the computer ordering system to facilitate delivery of specimens to the laboratory.
Complete continuing education to maintain licensure and professional expertise and keep current with trends.
Maintain Basic Life Support certification every two years and psychiatric competencies, including annual CARE training.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, and health and safety requirements; attend required meetings, conferences, and seminars; and demonstrate quality improvement in daily work.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar and related duties as required or directed.
Participate in orientation and/or training of new staff, students, and others.