STATUS:                                       Full Time (RF Status - 80 Hours/Pay Period)

DAY/SHIFT/HOURS:                    Variable days, 4:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.

                                                      No on call, weekends or holidays

 Job Profile Summary: The Intake Assessment Counselor is responsible for providing intake, assessment, and referral functions for the CCUH Emergency Department.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates culture of “Patients First” service with all callers to the Central Intake office. Maintains composure during times of high volume and intensity while responding with the appropriate sense of urgency.  Displays ability to multi-task and to accurately articulate encounters with expediency and extreme courtesy.
• Provides intake, assessment, crisis intervention, consultation, case management, and referral functions for the Behavioral Health Department.
• Responds to crisis situations by conducting phone or face-to-face assessment as warranted by the circumstances. Completes a risk assessment per protocol and facilitates appropriate disposition.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with system wide and external physicians and other hospital personnel; mental health, chemical dependency, and other community providers; and patients and family members to facilitate behavioral health admissions or other clinically appropriate dispositions.
• Demonstrates skill in performing clinical and diagnostic assessments for child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and chemically dependent patients.
• Responsible for providing concise clinical documentation (written and typed).
• Obtains verification and pre-certification of insurance benefits for behavioral health patients in need of inpatient admission or outpatient services.
• Seeks information from collateral resources whenever possible to determine most appropriate disposition for patients. Organizes, accesses, and utilizes community resources as indicated.
• Participates in quality assurance/performance improvement initiatives according to regulatory standards.
• Remains current on and adheres to all Regional policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Performs other duties and back-up services for regional initiatives as assigned.