Phone Counselor Assessor (Remote), Behavioral Health

Lifepoint Health • Louisville, KY

3d • Remote

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Phone Counselor Assessor is the initial point of contact for people seeking behavioral health or substance use services. The role manages inquiry calls, schedules in-person and phone assessments, conducts tele-evaluations, and triages individuals according to safety and risk. The assessor screens for medical and behavioral emergencies and ensures timely evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. The position also conducts comprehensive screenings, coordinates care with clinical staff and on-call physicians, and provides patients and families with clear treatment guidance.

The position facilitates the service-request process, including initial response, evaluation, referral, appropriate level-of-care designation per the on-call provider, admission, and follow-up. It initiates screening tools, documents symptoms, functioning, and needs, and communicates information to physicians. The role handles pre-admission and admission paperwork and insurance pre-certification, and requires knowledge of Emergency Detention and EMTALA processes. It works with sensitive and confidential information and requires understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance, including HIPAA.

This is a remote, full-time position with one of two schedules: Sunday through Thursday, 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m. EST, or Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. EST. The position works with a diverse healthcare team and is expected to demonstrate the organization’s stated values and provide courteous service to patients, physicians, visitors, and coworkers.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field from an accredited school, or a nursing degree from an accredited school as required by state regulations.
• Associate-level Counseling or Social Work license, or Registered Nurse license, if required by state regulations.
• Knowledge of behavioral health care.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of healthcare professionals.
• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• CPR certification required within 30 days of employment and before any patient contact.
• De-escalation certification required within 30 days of employment and before completion of orientation.

Nice To Haves

• One year of assessment experience in an inpatient behavioral health care setting.
• Two years of experience working with the patient populations served at the facility.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate requests for services, including initial response, evaluation, referrals, level-of-care designation per the on-call provider, admission, and follow-up.
• Conduct initial evaluations, initiate screening tools, document patient symptoms, functioning, and needs, and provide information to physicians.
• Manage inquiry calls and schedule in-person and phone assessments.
• Conduct tele-evaluations and triage individuals based on safety and risk.
• Screen for medical and behavioral emergencies and ensure timely evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.
• Coordinate patient care with clinical staff and on-call physicians, and provide treatment guidance to patients and families.
• Provide prompt and courteous customer service to patients, physicians, visitors, and coworkers.
• Maintain accurate pre-admission and admission paperwork and complete insurance pre-certifications.
• Apply knowledge of Emergency Detention and EMTALA paperwork and processes.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information and follow healthcare regulatory and compliance requirements, including HIPAA.
• Demonstrate the company’s core values: champion patient care, do the right thing, embrace individuality, act with kindness, and make a difference together.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance.
• Loan assistance.
• 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs, including free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs.
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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