Behavioral Health Admissions Coordinator - Behavioral Health Adult - PT - Weekends

About the role

The Behavioral Health Admissions & Nurse Navigator serves as a central coordinator for patient access, admission, and navigation across the behavioral health continuum of care. This role functions as a liaison among patients, families, providers, and internal teams to ensure timely, appropriate placement and seamless movement through inpatient and outpatient services. This position integrates clinical assessment, care coordination, and navigation support to improve access, enhance patient experience, and ensure high-quality, efficient care delivery. The role requires expertise in psychiatric assessment across the lifespan and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field — Required
• Licensed Registered Nurse may be substituted for the educational requirement — Required
• Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN) — Preferred

Experience

• 1 year Psychiatric experience or Acute Care experience — Required
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, or a related clinical setting — Preferred
• Experience in intake, admissions, care coordination, or navigation — Strongly Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Nurse (KSBN) — licensed RN able to practice in Kansas — Required
• Licensed Masters Social Worker (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Masters Level Psychologist (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Professional Counselor (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (KSBSRB) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) — Required
• Licensed Psychologist (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist (KSBSRB) — Required
• Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (KSBSRB) — Required

Skills

• Strong psychiatric assessment skills across diverse populations — Required
• Knowledge of behavioral health levels of care and admission criteria
• Ability to coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and crisis management skills
• Proficiency in electronic health records
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, safety standards, and quality practices
• Regular interaction with patients experiencing acute behavioral health needs, including occasional exposure to combative behaviors
• Requires strong focus, organization, and ability to work under pressure, including emergency situations

Responsibilities

• Lead and streamline the behavioral health admission process, including a “one call/one number” access model
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments (child, adolescent, adult, geriatric) to determine level-of-care appropriateness
• Facilitate admissions to inpatient and outpatient services based on clinical criteria
• Coordinate alternative placements when admission is not appropriate or capacity is limited
• Identify and address barriers to admission, patient placement, and access to care
• Ensure all intake and admission documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards
• Guide patients and families through the healthcare system from intake through episode of care
• Initiate and maintain communication regarding treatment processes, procedures, and available resources
• Coordinate services with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and community providers
• Connect patients to community resources, support services, and educational programs
• Track patient progress, interventions, and outcomes across the continuum of care
• Triage incoming calls and referrals; conduct initial intakes including clinical and insurance information
• Collaborate with Patient Placement, unit staff, and leadership to ensure efficient patient flow
• Oversee appointment scheduling and maintain timely throughput
• Verify insurance benefits, obtain prior authorizations, and coordinate financial clearance as needed
• Utilize Electronic health record and other systems to document patient interactions and maintain accurate records
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational policies, and the Kansas Nurse Practice Act (if applicable)
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and process optimization efforts
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including referral sources
• Escalate risks, concerns, or barriers to appropriate leadership
• Provide a professional, responsive, and patient-centered experience
• Complies with all policies, standards, mandatory training and requirements of Stormont Vail Health
• Performs other duties as assigned

Work arrangement

Part-time, Weekend Only shift, 24 hours per week. Non-Exempt status. Position is patient-facing with hybrid remote capability. Workspace must be quiet and distraction-free, allowing compliance with all security and privacy standards, with stable electricity and minimum 25mb upload internet speed. Must adhere to Stormont Vail’s Remote Worker Policy and review/acknowledge Remote Work Agreement annually. No supervisory or budget responsibility.

Physical demands

• Balancing: Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Carrying: Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Climbing (Ladders): Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Climbing (Stairs): Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Crawling: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Crouching: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Driving (Automatic): Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Driving (Standard): Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Frequently (3–5 hours)
• Feeling: Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Grasping (Fine Motor): Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Grasping (Gross Hand): Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Handling: Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Hearing: Frequently (3–5 hours)
• Kneeling: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Lifting: Occasionally (1–3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Operate Foot Controls: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Pulling: Occasionally (1–3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Pushing: Occasionally (1–3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Forward): Occasionally (1–3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Overhead): Occasionally (1–3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Repetitive Motions: Occasionally (1–3 hours)
• Sitting: Frequently (3–5 hours)
• Standing: Frequently (3–5 hours)
• Stooping: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Talking: Frequently (3–5 hours)
• Walking: Occasionally (1–3 hours)

Requires work under stress in emergency situations.

Working conditions