Intake Clinician - Master's Level

UHS • Boston, MA

8h

About The Position

Arbour Hospital is hiring a Master's-level Intake Clinician for a full-time, 36-hour overnight shift, currently scheduled from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The hospital provides specialized behavioral health services, including inpatient treatment, aftercare, community-based programs, and day treatment, to patients and families in the greater Boston area.

The Admissions Clinician assesses potential patients to help physicians identify the appropriate level of care. This role serves as an initial point of contact for referral sources and potential patients, coordinates referrals and intake, facilitates admissions, and communicates with referral sources, families, patients, and unit staff. The clinician also verifies insurance benefits and obtains prior authorization as needed.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or a Human Services field from an accredited college or university.
• At least 1 year of prior psychiatric experience.
• Working knowledge of DSM-V diagnostic criteria, mental status examinations, and the addiction and recovery field.

Nice To Haves

• LCSW, LICSW, LMHC, or LMFT license.
• Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls using the appropriate greeting and gather relevant clinical, demographic, and insurance information to determine the caller’s needs.
• Conduct telephone risk screening for callers in crisis to assess suicidality and homicidality.
• Apply admission criteria for inpatient and outpatient levels of care, recommend appropriate services, and provide referrals when callers are not appropriate for the hospital’s services.
• Schedule assessments with potential patients and referral sources and explain the assessment and admission process.
• Greet arriving patients and families and explain the evaluation and admission process.
• Conduct walk-in and scheduled assessments, coordinate with the reviewing psychiatrist, and make appropriate clinical recommendations.
• Assess pre-accepted patient transfers, including direct admissions from hospitals and other approved referral sources.
• Identify potentially problematic disposition cases, including placement issues, medical needs, or developmental delays, and seek supervision before acceptance.
• Enter information accurately and thoroughly into the electronic medical records system according to departmental protocol.
• Review and complete admission paperwork, obtain required patient signatures, and explain information in an understandable manner appropriate to the patient’s age and ability.
• Apply knowledge of voluntary admission and involuntary court-commitment procedures.
• Arrange emergency medical or psychiatric care when a patient is medically compromised or cannot be accommodated, and complete the Memorandum of Transfer form as appropriate.
• Refer patients to an alternative level of care or notify the referral source for follow-up when admission is not appropriate; complete referrals and a Crisis Safety Plan for patients referred out.
• Verify insurance benefits and obtain prior authorization as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and generous paid time off.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Discounted stock plan.
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program.
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its subsidiaries.
• Tuition discount partnership with Chamberlain University.
• Supervision for licensure.
• Challenging and rewarding work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level