ADMISSION & REFERRAL SPECIALIST II (PT)

The Admission & Referral Specialist will be responsible for direct contact with clients, referral sources, families, physicians and treatment teams. The Admission & Referral Specialist will be expected to complete an assessment of the patients in the centralized intake team and emergency department. Will coordinate disposition with Psychiatrist and ED Physician (if indicated) and follow the patient through admission to inpatient or referral to another level of care or agency. The Admission & Referral Specialist will be responsible for all ages pediatric to geriatric. Must be able to adapt quickly, work independently, detail oriented and organized. Gathers necessary proof of insurance coverage, begins with authorization/certification process for admission.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None required for this position

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are subject to the needs of the Program which operates on a 24 hour; seven days a week basis. Please refer to Program or Hospital attendance policy for additional direction on shifts, holidays and attendance.

Essential Duties:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential core function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and ability necessary to perform this job.

• Ability to evaluate and review clinical information and triage.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the action and side effects of psychotropic medications.
• Develops and maintains relationships within the multidisciplinary team.
• Functions as a resource person to patient and families
• Possess knowledge and skill required to complete behavioral health assessment and determine level of care.
• Work collaboratively with departments, patients, family, physician referral.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill of the proper completion of involuntary petition and certificate for admission.
• Possesses knowledge and skill to accurately assess risk, and complete MSE and clinical evaluation for IDTA
• Possesses knowledge of DSM V diagnoses and related symptoms, and demonstrates skill in identifying and assessing for these
• Ability to accurately determine admission criteria and treatment needs and formulate clinical impressions
• Ability to present and document clinical impressions efficiently, and collaborate with physicians for disposition
• Work collaboratively with ED, units, and other departments to facilitate assessment and admission of Behavioral Health patients
• Demonstrates ability to educate patients, families and collaterals about the evaluation process, admission process, and Behavioral Health services
• Demonstrates ability to provide psychoeducation for patients, families and collaterals related to symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations
• Knowledge of community resources for Behavioral Health
• Demonstrates ability to provide phone and in person screenings and assessments and link with appropriate level of care
• Ability to complete quality clinically documentation in a timely manner and according to documentation requirements and standards
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a fast paced environment
• Ability to manage the Intake workque effectively
• Demonstrates crisis intervention and de-escalation skills with Behavioral Health patients and families
• Serve as liaison across units, departments, and the community to promote access and continuity of care for Behavioral Health patients
• In coordination with the Program Director, develops, implements, coordinates and evaluates clinical admission, transfers, referrals, and/or discharge processes. 
• Utilizes assessment tools including, but not limited to Geriatric Depression Scale, Zung, SLUMS, alcohol screening tool(s)
• Addresses issues in a timely manner including crisis and higher level of care referrals.
• Actively participates in department processes as requested
• Enters required data into database system and generates monthly reports to track and trend referral, admission and discharge data.  

Non-essential Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Required Experience:

• Advanced clinical skills and knowledge, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Proficient in software applications; Microsoft Office
• Experience with EPIC and workque preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to read and comprehend moderate to complex instructions and correspondence
• Ability to write detailed correspondence
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients and their families, Program leadership, employees, clients, providers, vendors, etc. 

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum two years direct clinical experience in Behavioral Health field in clinical interviewing, evaluation, treatment, and referral of Behavioral Health patients preferred

Required Licensure/Education:

• Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Current and active IL licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or equivalent clinical license.
• Certification Crisis prevention certification as required prior to working on the unit
• CPR certification required  

Preferred Education:

• LCSW or LCPC preferred
• LSW or LPC preferred
• If RN, Psychiatric Nursing Certification preferred

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes: 

Compensation

             Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

             Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call

             Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE

             Paid Time Off programs

             Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability

             Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

             Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

             Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

             Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

Chemicals: Refer to SDS Sheets

Video Display Terminals: Average

Blood and Body Fluids: Obtaining and transporting patients' body fluids. Cleaning patients who are incontinent  

of urine and/or stool. Controlling the agitated patient such as scratches, bites, etc. This potential exposure reduced through non-violent crisis intervention education and the use of universal precautions.

TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal Exposure potential reduced through the use of universal precautions.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

Speech: Needed for communication with patients and other staff.

Vision: Needed to read materials such as medical records.

Smell: Needed to detect the odor of ETOH on patients, smoke in patients' rooms or electrical hazards.

Hearing: Required for patient safety, telephone use, intercom announcements (i.e., codes) and taking vital 

signs.

Touch: Required to perform percussive assessments and to comfort patients. Also needed to manipulate tools 

and equipment.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Average Hours per Week: 40

Shift: Variable for 24 hour coverage

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

Sit: 20%

Twist: 5%

Stand: 20%

Crawl: 3%

Walk: 25%

Kneel: 3%

Lift: 5%

Drive: 0%

Squat: 5%

Climb: 5%

Bend: 5%

Reach above shoulders: 5%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below: 

Up to 10 lbs: Frequently

Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 75 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 100 lbs: Not Required

Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

MHU staff is required to assist with the control and transport of patients. Patients may weigh as

much as 300# and be carried waist high up to 100'. Assists with lifting patients from wheelchairs to beds. Carries linens for bed making and supplies weighing up to 10# up to 100'.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes)during the normal workday for each activity:

Sit: 60

Twist: 3

Stand:15

Crawl: 1

Walk: 60

Kneel: 3

Lift: 3

Drive:0

Squat: 3

Climb: 2

Bend: 3

Reach above shoulders: 1

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

Simple grasp Normal weight: Frequently

Pushing &pulling Normal weight: Occasionally

Fine Manipulation: Writing, taking vital signs.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating

machine control:

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

Inside hours: 7

Outside hours: 1

Temperature: Normal Range

Lighting: Average

Noise levels: Average

Humidity: Dry

Atmosphere:

Special Hazards: Other potentially aggressive/violent patients.

Protective Clothing Required: Gloves to maintain MHU universal precautions.