Intake Coordinator III

SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP•Houston, TX

25d•Onsite

About The Position

The Intake Coordinator receives inquiry calls and helps callers schedule face-to-face assessments or directs them to appropriate community referrals based on patient needs. The coordinator assesses patients or ensures assessment by a licensed, qualified mental health professional, then works with a physician to arrange appropriate treatment at the hospital or with another community provider. The role includes screening for medical and behavioral emergencies and completing admission administration, including initial insurance or third-party-payer authorization when applicable. The position requires sound judgment in triaging patients, documenting calls and assessments, coordinating with clinical and hospital teams, and following applicable admission, safety, privacy, and legal procedures. For employees who hold a Registered Nurse license, responsibilities also include entering admission and other orders, medication-related follow-up documentation, and nurse-to-nurse reporting.

Requirements

Current RN license in the state of employment.
CPR certification and certification in a hospital-selected de-escalation technique.
One to three years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
Maintain education and development appropriate for the position.

Nice To Haves

Previous assessment and evaluation experience in a behavioral health setting.

Responsibilities

Handle inquiry calls, explain assessment processes, schedule appointments, and close calls appropriately without providing phone therapy.
Identify risk and safety concerns during calls, manage crisis calls according to procedure, and activate EMS when indicated.
Document inquiry calls completely and legibly, enter them into HCS, and make appropriate community referrals when an assessment is not scheduled.
Complete and document follow-up calls to confirm assessments, check on missed appointments, or reschedule.
Review medical screens, notify the RN for additional review when appropriate, and screen and triage medical or psychiatric emergencies.
Complete the clinical screening and assessment tool (PASP), including applicable screening for substance use, nutrition, functional needs, abuse, and child or adolescent school and developmental needs.
Determine appropriate levels of care and ensure patients are seen or consulted by a physician for treatment recommendations and disposition.
Coordinate admissions and communicate patient acuity, presenting complaint, illness history, medical concerns, and attending physician to unit staff.
Complete required admission paperwork and packets, maintain accurate EMTALA documentation and bed-board reconciliation, and follow applicable involuntary-hospitalization laws and procedures.
Support utilization review by applying treatment criteria, obtaining and documenting initial precertification or authorization, and passing information to the Utilization Management team for concurrent reviews.
Treat patients and families respectfully, protect confidentiality, provide explanations and reassurance, and maintain documentation in accordance with standards and policies.
Follow workplace safety procedures, report errors, accidents, near misses, and hazards, and participate in safety and quality initiatives.
Work collaboratively with patients, families, colleagues, staff, and physicians, and communicate information effectively verbally and in writing.
Follow organizational standards, policies, procedures, protocols, laws, training requirements, and resource-conservation practices; maintain professionalism and attendance.
Demonstrate accountability, compassion, acceptance, and respect for cultural diversity.
For employees with a Registered Nurse license: enter admission and other orders in HCS, complete required PRN medication and first-dose monitoring follow-up documentation, demonstrate medication knowledge, and conduct nurse-to-nurse reports.
Perform other duties as required.