Intake Counselor, full-time night shift
Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, United States

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Assessment and Referrals

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

To assess the needs of prospective patients and phone callers and ensure their referral to the service or resource to best address those needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to telephone and face-to-face inquiries from persons seeking mental health care or information about mental health-related services.
• Through a systematic process of interaction with patients, the patient's significant others, and the appropriate health care providers, collects and analyzes data regarding the patient's physical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural and anticipated discharge needs; determines patient's alcohol or drug toxicity; identifies signs of withdrawal; conducts screenings or assessments to determine needs of treatment.
• The care and treatment of the patient are rendered in a competent manner and are based on current chemical dependency and psychiatric nursing/clinical knowledge and standards; care is evaluated against the goals and plan of care and is revised as needed and appropriate to the patient.
• Facilitates the patient's access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
• Assumes responsibility in maintaining a safe, orderly and therapeutic physical environment for all patients.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with physicians and health professional affiliates, healthcare facilities, and nursing staff.
• Demonstrates good skills in assessing client's crisis and clinical indicators via phone and in-person and documenting such on a call sheet and scheduling assessment as clinically appropriate.
• Prepares written report of assessment results in a timely manner (immediately following completed assessment) and includes recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
• Makes appropriate interventions during assessments, and crisis situations with clients, family/friends and other professional staff.
• Assesses need for involuntary hospitalization evaluation and contacts county crisis team, law enforcement or 5150 certified AVDMH employee as needed to ensure the safety of client and others.
• Enters the data of calls and assessments in the computer system in a timely manner.
• Assists clients who are not admitted into a program with follow-through of clinical referrals and recommendations.
• Provides pertinent clinical information to physician and program staff who will be reviewing the patient to ensure a smooth transition for the patient.
• Distributes documentation of admissions to the Business Office, Admitting Unit and the Utilization Review Department.
• Maintains knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of pertinent age groups.
• Maintains knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to EMTALA/COBRA and abuse/neglect reporting.
• Communicates with managed care organizations to obtain insurance pre-authorizations in a timely manner.
• Stays abreast of organization's programs and services.
• Participates in activities which enhance professional growth and development.
• Performs related duties, as requested.
• Upholds the Organization's ethics and customer service standards.

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience:

• Current RN, LVN/LPT, LMFT California License, if applicable
• OR registered with the CA BBS
• Inpatient experience preferred
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology
• Knowledge of DSM III-R diagnostic criteria

• Current CPR certification
• NCI (or equivalent as approved by CNO) obtained within 60 days of hire

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health
• Assessment and intervention skills
• Persuasive manner and skills in overcoming denial and resistance to treatment
• Ability to concentrate on task in high traffic areas
• Ability to deal with crisis and potentially combative patients while maintaining personal and emotional equilibrium.
• Sensitivity to, and willingness to, interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills

Job Rewards and Benefits