Mental Health Evaluator

Westchester Medical Center • Kingston, NY

3d

About The Position

The Mental Health Evaluator (MHE) provides comprehensive, clinically appropriate, culturally competent, and trauma-informed behavioral health interventions in a hospital Emergency Department. The role includes psychiatric emergency evaluations and consultations, substance use disorder evaluations, psychoeducation, crisis interventions, family and collateral engagement, and aftercare coordination for patients discharged from the Emergency Department. The MHE collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support high-quality patient care, meets productivity standards, and completes required documentation within established timeframes.

The MHE reports to the Regional Program Manager for the Crisis Care Division. The role also includes orienting new staff and students, participating in continuing education and required trainings, and contributing to quality assurance and performance improvement programs and staff meetings.

Requirements

• 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.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to document in an Electronic Medical Record and use necessary online platforms.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced Emergency Department setting and complete evaluations and interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioral, and/or psychological crises.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting as a member of a multidisciplinary team is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Gather psychosocial and diagnostic information from available resources to conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations.
• Interview patients and relevant collateral resources.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department and Psychiatry Department teams to determine appropriate levels of care.
• Use electronic medical records, online collateral resource applications, and telepsychiatry platforms.
• Provide clinical summaries identifying the purpose and need for hospitalization for patients requiring inpatient psychiatric admission.
• Apply knowledge of legal statuses and complete appropriate legal documentation.
• Ensure patients understand the Patient’s Bill of Rights, their legal status, and hospital programs.
• Identify needs for patients being discharged and develop safe, comprehensive service plans that promote recovery and prevent readmission.
• Complete timely, comprehensive documentation of assessments, interventions, discharge planning, and communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with clinical and administrative staff to coordinate patient care.
• Communicate patient disposition to families, guardians, outpatient providers, education providers, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assess for child and adult abuse, determine whether reporting is required, and respond accordingly.
• Apply knowledge of Advance Directives and Guardianship proceedings and laws.
• Complete pre-certification of inpatient admissions with managed care companies as required.
• Provide culturally appropriate assessments and disposition planning.
• Advocate for patients’ best interests while maintaining confidentiality.
• Adhere to hospital and departmental policies and state and federal regulations.
• Orient new staff and students to the Mental Health Evaluator role.
• Participate in continuing education and complete mandatory hospital and department trainings.
• Participate in behavioral health and hospital-based Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement programs.
• Participate regularly in staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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