PartnersACCESS Clinician, Licensed-(Remote-NC)

Partners Behavioral Health Management•Gastonia, NC

2d•Remote

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is the initial screening, triage and referral (within the scope of practice) of members who call the 24/7/365 toll free access number seeking behavioral health services or anyone calling in with a crisis situation needing immediate assistance. The Clinician completes the STR, triages/assesses the consumer’s acuity and determines the type and intensity of service that the member needs and is eligible for and links them directly or indirectly with appropriate and available resources within state mandated timelines.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of counseling, social work and/or psychological principles, techniques and practices to treat behavioral health conditions. Specific knowledge includes: mental illness, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability diagnostic categories; individual and family dynamics; brief counseling and intervention techniques; psychiatric medications and their effects; mental health regulations; and an understanding of the North Carolina mental health system of service delivery
Sound knowledge of MH/SU/IDD in order to determine eligibility for Medicaid and State supported services, appropriateness of referrals for treatment and assessment and the level of danger of the members calling for assistance
Knowledge of the laws governing the treatment of mental illness, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as the resources available in the community for treatment
Working knowledge of Access to Care functions, consumer population, potential for crisis issues, confidentiality laws and program protocols/policies
Excellent computer skills
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, have good keyboarding skills and be able to multi-task (that is: converse while entering screening information into the electronic medical record and evaluating the member’s needs)
Ability to complete tasks independently, define problems, apply laws, policies and procedures to agency activities and use sound judgment in conducting screening, triage and referral
Ability to use sound judgment and be able to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with LME/MCO personnel, other professional disciplines, other agencies and the general public
Ability to provide care management services and technical assistance to both members and providers
Ability to assist members in highly stressful situations which may be life threatening to the member or public while at the same time facilitating a connection to crisis services and/or 911
Ability to screen, skillfully triage and refer members to appropriate treatment modality
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Licensed Clinician or Registered Nurse (RN) and two years of clinical experience in MH/SU/IDD. Must reside in North Carolina.
Current unrestricted LCSW, LPC, LPA, LMFT or LCAS licensure with the appropriate professional board of licensure in the state of North Carolina; OR licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina by the N. C. Board of Nursing. Employee is responsible for complying with respective licensure board’s continuing education/ training requirements. An active professional clinical license is required for this position.

Responsibilities

Initial screening of MH/SU/IDD treatment needs and clinical triage of members calling or walking in; determine if they potentially qualify for services and identify emergent, urgent or routine treatment needs
Data entry into the electronic record, completion of appropriate forms, explanation of services, offering of provider choice using a slot schedule, managing the electronic wait list, and dispatch and collaboration with the First Responders or Mobile Crisis Management to stabilize acute crises
Make referrals to clinical homes and crisis providers that meet the timeliness standards as defined by the state
Provide information about local community resources, independent practitioners, and managed care companies for referrals for basic benefit and enhanced services
Provide follow up calls to referral sources and members to ensure that they have been successfully engaged in services
Provide back up and clinical consultation to other Licensed PartnersACCESS Clinicians and to Non-Licensed PartnersACCESS Qualified Specialists
Support and incorporate Quality Management Principles and URAC requirements into the PartnersACCESS Department and the Partners Health Management organization
This position demands a high level of accuracy and confidentiality. Information must be handled according to State standards/rules, State and Federal laws and Local Management Entity Standards- Procedures and Policies Protocol
Authorize admissions to state hospitals, ADATC, Three Way Hospitals, Level III Detox, Facility Based Crisis and all referrals to crisis services
Process other acute care authorizations as needed
Screenings are completed using standard and specialized computer programs. The approved screening form is a State designed STR form.
Inputs accurate information into the system and unlocks electronic service records with appropriate consents, and enters all necessary data elements into MIS system
Provide technical and clinical assistance to First Responders, clinical home providers, and Mobile Crisis Management
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships within the unit, agency, and service system.
Consistently demonstrates professionalism, tact and diplomacy in handling irate callers and/or working with contract providers and other external parties
Participates in Unit Staff meetings, Agency Staff meetings, (All Staff) and assigned committees