Intake Clinician (MA/MSW) - Per Diem
About The Position
The Intake Clinician (also described as an Admissions Clinician) provides assessments to help physicians identify the appropriate level of care for potential patients. The clinician is the initial contact for referral sources and potential patients, coordinates referral and intake activities, facilitates admissions, and maintains communication with referral sources, families, patients, and unit staff. The role also verifies insurance benefits and obtains prior authorization as needed. This is a per diem position with opportunities to pick up weekday or weekend shifts on day (7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), evening (3:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.), or overnight (11:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.) schedules. The clinician works in a behavioral healthcare setting providing inpatient treatment and a continuum of aftercare services, community-based programs, and day treatment.
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 licensure.
- Supervisory experience.
Responsibilities
- Answer telephone calls using the appropriate greeting and obtain relevant clinical, demographic, and insurance information to determine callers’ needs.
- Conduct telephonic risk screening to assess suicidality or homicidality when callers are in crisis.
- Apply admission criteria for inpatient and outpatient levels of care, recommend appropriate services, and refer callers to appropriate resources when the facility’s services are not suitable.
- Schedule assessments with potential patients and referral sources and explain the assessment and admission process.
- Greet patients and families upon arrival and explain the evaluation and admission process.
- Conduct walk-in and scheduled assessments, coordinate with the reviewing psychiatrist, and make appropriate clinical recommendations.
- Conduct assessments for pre-accepted patient transfers 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 understandably while considering 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 alternative levels of care or notify referral sources for follow-up when patients are not appropriate for admission; complete referrals and Crisis Safety Plans 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.
- Low-cost further education through a tuition discount partnership with Chamberlain University.
- Supervision for licensure.
- Challenging and rewarding work environment.
