Intake Specialist

CODA INC•Portland, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Intake Specialist provides behavioral health screening, assessment, and care coordination to individuals seeking to enroll in services at CODA or transition across internal levels of care. This role involves managing all elements of admission, including obtaining financial agreements and required permissions. The specialist must balance customer service, clinical justification, and sustainable business practices. The position also entails responding to phone inquiries, providing overviews of clinical services, reviewing treatment options, and assessing appropriate placement levels for intake. Key duties include conducting comprehensive intakes, establishing rapport with prospective patients, managing crisis situations, and determining readiness for treatment. The specialist will utilize data from patients and collateral sources, conduct bio-psycho-social assessments, screen for co-occurring disorders, and facilitate all aspects of routine or urgent admissions, including paperwork and electronic health record management.

Requirements

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar or closely related role.
Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or closely related area of study OR Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice or closely related area of study and an additional 1 years experience in a related role (3 years total).
A minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of coursework in some or all of the following courses: Elemental/Intro Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Behavior, Human Biology, Statistics/Research Methods, Substance Abuse, Psychopharmacology, Human Development, Neuroscience, Behavior Modification, or Cultural Competence.
Has advanced knowledge of and is able to effectively apply advanced principles of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, American Society of Addiction Medicine Dimensional Assessment and similar strategies for facilitating recovery and empowerment completing comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment and making treatment recommendations.
The ability to assess ASAM level of care, complete comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments, identify appropriate interventions, and effectively apply evidence based practices with high risk /high need patients.
Ability to engage patients to develop collaborative treatment plans and determine clinically relevant treatment interventions.
Ability to gather, analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and patient’s readiness for treatment and change.
Ability to assess patient needs and establish linkage between patients and resources in a coordinated, effective, and efficient manner.
Demonstrate knowledge of accepted principles of patient record management.
Ability to utilize both oral and written communications skills to effectively communicate with patients, co-workers, community resources, supervisors, and various other individuals encountered in the course of performing work while maintaining patient confidentiality and establishing professional rapport.
Ability to maintain professional communications and boundaries while managing complex situations and interacting with individuals diagnosed with substance use or co-occurring conditions.
Ability to operate a computer, utilize basic MS Office programs, and effectively navigate and maintain patient records in an electronic medical records system.
Knowledge of DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) and the ability to make accurate diagnosis for billing purposes.
Attain CADC-R status within 30 days of hire (if not already in possession of CADC-R or higher)
CADC I or above or credentialed within 6 months of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or ability to acquire within 90 days of hire.
Crisis prevention certification (such as CPI) within 90 days of hire.
A valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license.
Consistent attendance and punctuality are required of this position.
A negative result on all pre-employment, reasonable basis, and post-accident drug screens.
An acceptable criminal record as determined by DHS, the Oregon Administrative Rules, and the Oregon Revised Statutes; and no current supervised parole or probation.
An acceptable driving record and automobile insurance coverage as recommended by CODA’s automobile insurance provider.

Responsibilities

Ensure all phone inquiries are responded to appropriately and directed to appropriate program or resource, including follow-up to ensure hand-off is completed.
Provide overview of available clinical services at CODA sites.
Review treatment options and assess appropriate placement level for intake.
Conduct intakes, collecting substance use history and other information required for eligibility screening; evaluating if all admission criteria have been met.
Establish rapport with prospective patients, including management of crisis situations, and determination of need for additional services.
Assess the patient’s mental and emotional state of mind to determine readiness for treatment and change.
With patient and significant others, determine the most appropriate initial course of action, given patient’s needs and characteristics, and available community resources.
Review the treatment options with the patient that are appropriate for the patient’s needs, characteristics, goals, and financial resources.
Utilize data gathered from the patient and other available collateral sources, using screening instruments and other methods, demonstrating sensitivity to age, developmental level, culture, and gender, integrating the information into a comprehensive assessment and set of treatment recommendations.
Conduct bio-psycho-social assessment including detoxification needs, diagnostic evaluation of substance use, evaluation of criminogenic needs, and assessment of placement consistent with ASAM criteria.
Screen for co-occurring disorders and risk of harm to self or others.
Conduct or facilitate all elements of routine or urgent admissions, including screening and assessment, UA collection, completion of admission paperwork, opening patient episode in electronic health record, obtaining releases of information, orienting patient to clinic or residence.
Determine admission priority based on regulatory and program guidelines.
Manage site-related waiting list as applicable.
Provide timely and accurate communications within scope of job to adjunct community service providers and referents.
Work with site support and billing staff to ensure financial agreements are developed and signed as part of the admission process.
Establish positive team relationships and collaborate with treatment team and community partners to ensure quality treatment decisions are made and to support the coordination of patients’ care.
Ensure patient electronic medical records are accurate and complete and that all services are recorded according to assigned procedures.
Partner with administrative and financial teams to resolve patient record issues in a timely manner.
Participate in staff meetings, including case presentations, clinical consultation, and operational process review.
Participate in required trainings.
Travel to take intakes at multiple sites as needed.
Achieve outcomes using methods that align with CODA’s mission and values: Communicate accurately and positively about recovery and the use of evidence-based treatments.
Achieve outcomes using methods that align with CODA’s mission and values: Use data and science to identify barriers, overcome obstacles, and inform decisions.
Achieve outcomes using methods that align with CODA’s mission and values: Be financially responsible; avoid waste, document accurately, seek new opportunities to serve.
Achieve outcomes using methods that align with CODA’s mission and values: Demonstrate compassion and respect for others.
Participate in special projects as assigned.
Assist with short-term coverage for additional clinical and administrative duties where needed.