Intake (Admissions) Director

UHS•Houston, TX

2h•Onsite

About The Position

Cypress Creek Hospital is a free-standing 128-bed acute care psychiatric hospital in north Houston, Texas. It serves adolescents and adults through inpatient acute care, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. The Intake Director oversees and directs the hospital’s Intake (Admissions) Department, guiding staff who provide patient access and behavioral health assessment services, including call management, clinical evaluations for level of care, crisis intervention, admissions, and referrals. The role works closely with medical and nursing staff, department heads, hospital administration, external referring agencies, and payers. It is responsible for the department’s budget, FTE management, policies and procedures, regulatory compliance, service excellence, and data management and analysis. The Director also participates with the senior leadership team in developing and managing processes that support the hospital’s strategic goals. Hours are based on departmental and facility needs and may include day, evening, and weekend hours, as directed by the CEO/Managing Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Licensed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners or licensed in a compact state.
Three to five years of direct clinical experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting.
Knowledge of assessment and referral techniques and accepted procedures.
Knowledge of TJC, CMS, and state and federal regulations.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work twelve-hour overnight shifts, including some weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct the screening of potential patients for admission and initiate the integrated assessment process.
Monitor intake and appointment information calls 24 hours a day and prepare appropriate forms.
Serve as a liaison between physicians and families.
Ensure patient assessment information is accurately referred to attending physicians and that historical information is complete to support an appropriate level-of-care determination.
Ensure referral sources are notified of, or participate in, decisions about transitions between levels of care.
Prepare morning meeting reports covering census information, referral sources, pending admissions and follow-up actions, and pending discharges and discharge reasons.
Uphold patient rights in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Support guest relations and ensure the facility’s appearance and staff communications with patients, families, referral sources, and colleagues are effective and professional.
Involve appropriate facility management in decisions and review decisions with the CEO before implementation.
Ensure adequate staff supervision and evaluation, delegating these responsibilities as appropriate.
Provide for staff education and professional development.
Ensure staff scheduling and configuration meet hospital needs.
Maintain adequate communication and reporting among staff and other departments involved in program operations.
Ensure the department meets TJC, Medicare, and federal and state regulatory requirements.
Develop and implement a Performance Improvement Plan, evaluate results monthly, and report results to the Performance Improvement Committee in a timely manner.
Address deficiencies identified through performance improvement analysis with appropriate problem-solving actions.
Review risk management occurrences and ensure complete and timely reports are submitted to Risk Management.
Analyze department statistical data to identify and respond to trends.
Manage the department’s budget and FTEs, policies and procedures, service excellence, and data management and analysis.
Participate with the senior leadership team in developing and managing processes related to hospital strategic goals.