Behavioral Services Specialist, Full-Time

About the Role

Provides direct clinical services to patients, families, and others, including mental health and chemical dependency evaluations, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling and referrals for additional services. Offers supportive intervention for situational distress, illnesses, and trauma, as well as intervention and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, and neglect.

Provides patient and family information and education regarding medical and mental health issues relevant to the setting. Assists the Emergency Department medical and nursing staff with the assessment of complex patients by applying clinical techniques such as crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Prepares documentation for all services provided, including maintaining contact records, clinical evaluations, supportive services, and disposition plans.
• Facilitates the entry of patients into SJMHS Behavioral Services by providing evaluations, analyzing symptoms and history using DSM-V, and making level-of-care recommendations.
• Obtains appropriate informed consents and/or other legally required documents for admissions.
• Collaborates with Patient Financial Services during business hours to ensure insurance verification and benefits determination.
• Responsible for pre-authorization for all payers for individuals being admitted for Behavioral Health Services.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships; approaches conflict constructively and helps identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient, physician, employee, and visitor information, discussing details only among appropriate personnel in private settings.
• Ensures personal and coworker safety by performing duties responsibly and reporting hazards immediately.
• Adheres to the Mission, Vision, and Values of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, psychiatric nursing, or counseling.
• Licensing appropriate to the profession.

Skills

• Clinical and analytical skills to assess behavioral health service needs, including evaluating risk for dangerousness to self or others.
• Knowledge of psychiatric diagnostic nosology and criteria.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for concise, relevant, and timely clinical documentation and assessments.
• Ability to learn and utilize software, database applications, and electronic health records.