Lead Mental Health Evaluator

Health Alliance of Hudson Valley•Valhalla, NY

56d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Mental Health Evaluator (Lead MHE) delivers advanced, clinically appropriate, culturally competent, and trauma-informed behavioral health interventions in the hospital Emergency Department (ED). Primary responsibilities include providing direct clinical services such as psychiatric emergency evaluations, consultations, substance use disorder assessments, psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and family/collateral engagement. In addition to clinical duties, the Lead MHE supports coordination of aftercare for patients discharged from the ED, and oversees the scheduling, training, and guidance of Mental Health Evaluators (MHEs) assigned to the department. The Lead MHE ensures that MHEs meet productivity standards, complete documentation within required timeframes, and collaborate effectively as part of the interdisciplinary team to uphold high-quality patient care. This position reports to the Director of Social Work and Program Services at the Valhalla Behavioral Health Center.

Requirements

At least three years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, with evidence of formal responsibility for aspects of training, supervision, and/or other advanced clinical role.
Master's Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited graduate program.
New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to document within an Electronic Medical Record and utilize any necessary online platforms.
Ability to function within the fast-paced Emergency Department setting, completing evaluations and interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioral, and/or psychological crisis.

Responsibilities

Coordinates and guides the discharge planning function for behavioral health patients discharged from the ED, including referrals to clinics, housing services, residential health care facilities, psychiatric rehabilitation hospitals and programs, and other community supports.
Provide in-service training to MHE staff and other disciplines on selected topics within the area of expertise, and orient new staff to the role of Mental Health Evaluator.
Complete required statistics and other recording for MHE operations.
Prepare and administer MHE staffing schedules.
Represent the hospital at community meetings and act as a liaison and coordinator between community and hospital programs, as assigned.
Gather relevant psychosocial and diagnostic information using available resources, including use of the New York State Office of Mental Health's Psychiatric Services and Clinical Knowledge Enhancement System (PSYCKES) and New York State Department of Health's Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY), to conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations.
Conduct thorough interviews with patients and collateral resources associated with patients.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary ED and Psychiatry Department teams to determine the appropriate level of care for each patient.
Demonstrate proficiency in using electronic medical records, online collateral resource applications, and telepsychiatry platforms.
For patients requiring inpatient psychiatric admission, provide a clinical summary with a clearly identified purpose and need for hospitalization.
Demonstrate knowledge of all legal statuses for patients and ensure the completion of appropriate legal documentation.
Ensure patients are familiar with the Patient's Bill of Rights, legal status, and hospital programs.
Identify patient needs if being discharged and develop a safe, comprehensive plan for services that promote recovery and prevent readmission.
Maintain timely and comprehensive documentation of assessments, interventions, discharge planning and communications with internal and external stakeholders.
Work collaboratively, respectfully and effectively with others, and communicate frequently and efficiently with other clinical and administrative staff to coordinate patient care.
Initiate and maintain communication regarding patient disposition with families, guardians, outpatient providers, education providers, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders.
Assess for child and adult abuse, determining the need for reporting and responding accordingly.
Demonstrate knowledge of Advance Directives and Guardianship proceedings and laws.
Complete pre-certification of inpatient admissions with managed care companies as required.
Exhibit cultural competence by providing culturally appropriate assessments and disposition planning.
Serve as a patient advocate, acting in patients' best interest and maintaining confidentiality.
Adhere to hospital and departmental policies and state and federal regulations.
Participate in continuing education and complete all mandatory hospital and department trainings.
Participate in behavioral health and hospital-based Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement programs
Participate in staff meetings regularly.
Perform other duties as assigned