Assessment Specialist

About the role

The Virtual Patient Logistics Center (VPLC) Assessment Specialist (AS) supports hospital functions within the emergency department and inpatient medical units. Per Physician or Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant order, Assessment Specialists provide level of care assessments and recommendations (LOC) for patients presenting in acute mental health crisis and with other behavioral/mental health concerns.

Responsibilities

• Respond to requests for assessment in facilities and locations serviced by an in-scope Patient Logistics Center (PLC).
• In partnership with the Patient Logistics Specialists (PLS), new requests for level of care assessments will be passed to the VPLC AS via the case queue.
• Adhere to confidentiality guidelines appropriately and ensure EMTALA and HIPPA compliance at all times; compliance concerns will be reported to leadership immediately.
• Congratulate communication necessary for a thorough assessment, including but not limited to collateral and key stakeholders responsible for the patient/knowledgeable of the sequences leading to the assessment, hospital staff and leadership, and local PLC staff.
• Respond to assessment as soon as possible and no later than 60 minutes from the initial request.
• Confer with ordering physician regarding the appropriateness of a patient’s legal status based on patient’s presentation and engagement during assessments.
• Must be knowledgeable of all state mental health/civil commitment laws for each state supported by VPLC.
• Complete detailed Risk Assessment within the 1 of 3 EHRs utilized by the facilities.
• Document Safety Plan recommendations in the patient’s EHR chart for the use of the ordering physician, if they so choose, upon patient disposition.

Qualifications

• Possess a thorough knowledge of current behavioral health concepts, principles and methods of treatment.
• Able to navigate technology solutions with minimal guidance/support.
• Comfortable with Telehealth solutions and providing care through virtual platform.
• Possesses good multitasking skills to navigate 5+ systems during a given shift to ensure quality care is provided to patients.
• Works collaboratively with hospital departments to assist managing behavioral health assessment needs.
• Coordinates and participates with appropriate interested parties and physicians through the patient admission, treatment and discharge process in the acute hospital setting.
• Tracks monthly individual performance via key performance indicators and quality metrics shared by leadership.
• Engages in clinical learning opportunities offered internally as well as meets the required continued education expectations of particular licensing board.

Requirements

• Possess a Master’s Degree in the field of Mental Healthcare.
• Prioritize 2 years’ experience in a behavioral/mental healthcare setting performing clinical duties, including assessment.
• Prior management/supervisory experience in a healthcare related field preferred.
• Maintain licensure as a mental health professional (i.e. LCSW, LPC, LMHC, LP, etc) within state of residence.

Skills

• Knowledge of current behavioral health concepts, principles and methods of treatment.
• Ability to navigate technology solutions with minimal guidance/support.
• Comfortable with Telehealth solutions and providing care through virtual platform.
• Good multitasking skills to navigate 5+ systems during a given shift to ensure quality care is provided to patients.
• Collaborative working with hospital departments to assist managing behavioral health assessment needs.
• Engages in clinical learning opportunities offered internally as well as meets the required continued education expectations of particular licensing board.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services.
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence.
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling.
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.