Community - Legal Liaison Harlan Psychiatric Center

About the role

The Community/Legal Liaison Representative is accountable for communicating with the legal system, community mental health centers, private referral agencies, families, and hospital personnel to ensure all patients meet the requirements for admission. This role maintains ongoing communication with mental health centers or referral agencies to monitor patients' treatment and shares relevant discharge information with necessary agencies.

Responsibilities

• Assures patients meet legal and hospital requirements for voluntary or involuntary admission and participation in a treatment plan.
• Encourages and assists families in their participation in the admission and treatment process.
• Works with community mental health centers and referral sources to ensure admission criteria are followed and required documents are obtained.
• Encourages agencies to monitor patients' treatment and provides them with relevant discharge information.
• Maintains communications with the legal system regarding patient status, including home visits, convalescent leave, and discharge.
• Secures necessary documents for continued treatment.
• Coordinates court proceedings held at the hospital by notifying staff of appearance times and ensuring patient attendance.
• Maintains current records of involuntary patients' legal status and updates physicians and staff on any changes.
• Notifies the legal system, community mental health centers, and family members of patients who leave the hospital without authorization and documents such actions.
• Stays up-to-date on current and proposed mental health legislation related to patient admission and reimbursement, and informs appropriate staff of changes.
• Works with the legal system and community mental health centers to ensure familiarity and compliance with Kentucky Mental Health statutes and ARH policies.
• Provides "On Call" backup for after-hours involuntary admissions and necessary court contacts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a mental health setting.
• Basic Life Support certification (Required).