Crisis Intervention Specialist, Emergency Mental Health, Per Diem, University Campus

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

25d•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 the current DSM-5 language to conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and develop plans for treatment. Coordinates and facilitates 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 requirements for referrals to inpatient units, outpatient care, and diversion programs while advocating for patients. Participates in orientation and training of new staff, students, and others. The position assesses patients experiencing psychiatric crises at the University campus and at off-site locations, assigns appropriate levels of care, responds to psychiatric emergencies, triages crisis calls, and connects patients with clinical and community resources. It also supports case management, treatment coordination, managed-care requirements, clinical documentation, quality improvement, service logs, billing, and ordered vital-sign and specimen collection. The role requires ongoing continuing education, current basic life support certification, and maintenance of psychiatric competencies, including annual CARE training. This is a per diem position with mixed shifts and scheduled hours listed as zero. Work is sedentary and takes place indoors in a patient-care office environment. The position requires a master’s degree in Human Services or equivalent and license eligibility at hire; candidates not licensed at hire must obtain the specified license within the applicable timeframe. One to three years of Psychiatry/Mental Health experience is required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Human Services or equivalent.
Must be license eligible upon hire for LICSW, LISW, or LMHC. If not licensed at hire, must obtain LICSW or LICW within 18 months of hire, or LMHC within 24 months of hire; failure to do so may result in termination.
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 (BLS) certification every two years.
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

Provide psychosocial histories and mental status assessments for patients in psychiatric crisis at the University campus and at off-site locations.
Assign an appropriate clinical level of care, including inpatient, outpatient, or diversion programs, and provide information and referrals to specialized intervention programs such as substance abuse 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 concerning psychiatric emergencies, including suicidal ideation or attempts, determine the needed intervention, identify clinical resources, and make referrals as needed.
Serve as a referral source for patients, family members, and agency staff.
Perform case management by facilitating and coordinating 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 them 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 managed-care requirements for notification, clinical presentations, pre-certification, billing, and faxing.
Document evaluations, assessments, consultations, referrals, and dispositions to meet regulatory requirements and support patient outcomes.
Participate in quality-improvement planning and execution, including data collection.
Maintain required service logs and code billing according to current practice.
Obtain vital signs and specimens as ordered and use the computer ordering system to facilitate specimen delivery to the laboratory.
Participate in 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.
Participate in orientation and/or training of new staff, students, and others.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, health and safety requirements, and applicable 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 or directed.