Hospital Discharge Intake Specialist

Sound•Seattle, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

SOUND Behavioral Health is growing and hiring a Hospital Discharge Intake Specialist. This role serves as the primary entry point for new clients discharging from inpatient hospital settings and ensures both clinical and financial access to behavioral health services. The specialist plays an essential role in maintaining continuity of care by facilitating timely, clinically appropriate transitions from hospital-based care to community treatment. This position requires strong knowledge and assessment skills related to mental health and substance use disorders, ensuring integrated, whole-person evaluation and appropriate treatment recommendations. It is well-suited for licensed behavioral health clinicians interested in hospital-adjacent work emphasizing advanced clinical assessment, risk evaluation, level-of-care determination, and interdisciplinary collaboration rather than long-term outpatient caseload management. The schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The position is based out of a Sound clinic in King County, WA, with flexibility to select a convenient location. Regular travel to hospitals and Sound clinics throughout King County is required. Applications are being accepted until June 15.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a counseling-related field (MSW, MS, or MA) required.
Minimum of two (2) years of post-graduate experience in clinical, intake, crisis, hospital-based, or co-occurring behavioral health settings preferred.
Excellent judgment, effective communication and strong collaboration skills.
Understanding of the principles of individual therapy, group therapy and/or case management approach to providing services.
Strong working knowledge of the physical and/or behavioral health and support resources of King County, and familiarity with state and local health delivery systems, including knowledge of various funding principles and clinical services mandates.
Understanding of recovery concepts in behavioral health; synthesizes and applies, as appropriate to their work at Sound.
Ability to learn new tasks and skills quickly, and to manage and prioritize multiple tasks, while simultaneously managing crises.
Capacity to appreciate and work well with the complex and diverse population.
Must have an active MHP-qualifying credential with DOH (i.e. LICSW, LMHC, LMFT, or an associate-level version of these credentials).
Washington State driver’s license with an insurable driving record required.
Must successfully pass a criminal background check in accordance with state and organizational requirements.
Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community partners in person by telephone, and through virtual platforms.
Hear and understand conversations in person and over the phone in office and community settings.
Read and interpret written materials, clinical documentation, policies, and electronic health records.
Observe and assess client behavior, emotional state, and environmental safety cues during clinical interactions.
Use visual acuity to review documentation, reports, and electronic systems.
Sit for extended periods while completing documentation, virtual meetings, and computer-based work.
Frequently use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, phone, and other office equipment.
Occasionally stand, walk, bend, or reach while interacting with clients or retrieving files or materials.
Travel within the community as required to meet with clients, attend meetings, or conduct outreach.
Lift or move items such as files, laptops, or office materials (typically up to 10–20 pounds).
Maintain the ability to engage clients in both office and community-based environments.
Maintain concentration and attention to detail while documenting clinical services and reviewing records.
Analyze complex client situations and apply clinical judgment in accordance with professional standards and organizational policies.
Manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Demonstrate emotional regulation and professionalism when working with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises or distress.
Exercise sound decision-making and problem-solving skills in both routine and urgent situations.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements including HIPAA.
Adapt to changing client needs, program requirements, and organizational priorities.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two (2) years of post-graduate experience in clinical, intake, crisis, hospital-based, or co-occurring behavioral health settings.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive intake assessments, screen referrals, verify insurance benefits, and coordinate clinical authorizations as required.
Deliver services via telephone, fax, email, and in person, including meeting directly with prospective clients in hospital settings to support discharge planning.
Provide consultation and guidance to hospital partners and care teams to support safe and effective transitions of care.
Respond to new client referrals via telephone, fax, email, and in-person hospital consultations, including completion of lethality and safety risk assessments and seeking clinical supervision as needed.
Conduct integrated mental health and substance use disorder screenings and assessments to inform clinical decision-making and treatment recommendations.
Engage and build rapport with prospective clients, including meeting with individuals in hospital settings to support informed decision-making and continuity of care.
Conduct comprehensive clinical intake assessments, including psychosocial history, behavioral health and substance use needs, co-occurring conditions, risk and safety evaluations, and determination of eligibility, medical necessity, and appropriate level of care.
Utilize clinical judgment to make appropriate, individualized treatment recommendations, including referrals to mental health, substance use, and co-occurring treatment services as clinically indicated.
Coordinate care and discharge planning with hospital social workers, discharge planners, and inpatient care teams to support clinically appropriate placement and continuity of services.
Provide direct services and coordinate appropriate internal and external referrals based on assessed client needs.
Prepare timely and accurate intake assessments, summaries, reports, and progress notes, ensuring documentation is properly incorporated into the clinical record.
Perform clinical care authorization functions for selected contracts, including consultation with clients regarding insurance benefits and organizational funding requirements.
Assess service needs using applicable medical necessity and level-of-care criteria to determine the most clinically appropriate program placement.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, individual supervision, and assigned committees as required.
Complete required annual continuing education and maintain professional competency.
Uphold ethical, professional, and respectful relationships with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
Apply recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive principles consistent with Sound’s mission and values.
Comply with all applicable federal, state, and county regulations, as well as Sound policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Premium 100% paid by Sound for team member and child coverage to age 26, depending on plan selected. Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage available at team member’s cost.
Life Insurance (2x annual salary + additional $25,000): paid by Sound
Long Term Disability Insurance (60% monthly salary): paid by Sound
Retirement Plan: Sound contributes 3% to team member’s plan; team member is 100% vested.
Retirement Plan - 401(k) Plan, pre-tax and/or Roth: team member may contribute to their own plan.
Health Savings Account: Sound contributes $1,133.33 (individual) or $2,266.67 (family) for eligible team members, pro-rated for new hires in first year.
Flexible Spending Accounts: for health care and dependent day care costs (pre-tax)
EAP: Employee Assistance Plan
Vacation: 18 days per year, increasing with years of service
Holidays : 9 days per year
Sick Leave: 12 days per year
Bereavement Leave : for death in the family
Parking: Free at all Sound sites
Training: Free in-house professional training and $400 annually + 3 paid days off-site training
Service Award: at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40 years of service