Crisis Intervention Specialist, 32 Hours Evenings, University Campus

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $29.81 - $53.67. Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

About the Role

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where you can build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis evaluations for patients in the Psychiatric Service both on and off site, for young children, adults and geriatric patients.
• Utilizes the language of the current DSM V to establish comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and subsequent planning and treatment.
• Coordinates and facilitates system treatment meetings, on and off site, to develop comprehensive treatment plans.
• Works with patients and their families, including treatment planning implementation, group and individual therapy, and coordinates community services and discharge planning.
• Works with insurance companies to fulfill all requirements for appropriate referrals to inpatient units, outpatient care and diversion programs, while strongly advocating for the patient.
• Provides psychosocial history and mental status assessment of patients in psychiatric crisis at the University campus and mobiles to off-site locations.
• Assigns the appropriate clinical level of care to each patient including inpatient, outpatient, diversion programs, providing information and referrals to specialized intervention programs, including substance abuse detoxification and rehabilitation.
• Understands clinical levels of treatment and develops and maintains a safe therapeutic environment.
• Actively participates in psychiatric emergencies, including restraint of out-of-control patients, while maintaining safety in the milieu.
• Triages calls of patients with psychiatric emergencies, including suicide ideation and/or attempts, and determines which intervention is needed.
• Identifies clinical resources and makes referrals when necessary.
• Serves as a referral source for patient, family members, and agency staff.
• Functions in a Case Management role, facilitating and coordinating referral and access to psychiatric treatment, delivery of social services, including financial assistance, health insurance, community-based care, and medical contracts/collaboration.
• Assesses factors relating to need for care, adjustment to care, and response to treatment as documented in the clinical record.
• Facilitates communication with all outpatient treaters, including psychiatric outpatient, social services, and medical providers (e.g., Primary Care Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Visiting Nurses), and interfaces with these providers to coordinate treatment planning.
• Maintains current knowledge and compliance for all managed care specifications regarding notification, presentation of clinical information, pre-certification, billing, and faxing requirements.
• Documents all information obtained in evaluation, assessment, consultation, referral, and disposition to comply with regulatory requirements, as well as ensuring the best possible patient outcome.
• Actively participates in the formulation and execution of Quality Improvement and subsequent data collection.
• Maintains service logs as required and codes for billing according to current practice.
• Obtains vital signs and specimens as ordered, and uses the computer ordering system to facilitate specimens to the lab.
• Actively engages in Continuing Education to maintain and expand current knowledge as required to maintain licensure, as well as to enhance professional expertise and keep abreast of current trends.
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification every two years and all psychiatric competencies including annual CARE training.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends a variety of meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed.
• Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility, and acceptance toward all employees, patients, and visitors.
• Participates in the orientation and/or training of new staff, students, and others.
• Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Human Services or equivalent.
• Must be license eligible upon hire (LICSW, LCSW, or LMHC). If not licensed upon hire, employee must obtain LICSW or LCSW license within 18 months of hire or will be subject to termination. If not licensed upon hire, employee must obtain LMHC license within 24 months of hire or will be subject to termination.
• One to three years of experience in Psychiatry/Mental Health.
• Demonstrated ability in psychosocial assessment, knowledge of community resources, crisis intervention skills, ability in discharge planning, and ability to work with a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Basic computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC licensure.

Schedule

Sunday through Saturday, 3 PM - 11 PM (Evening Shift, 8 Hours), 32 hours per week.

Benefits

This position may have a signing bonus available; a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

Work is considered sedentary. Position requires work indoors in a patient care office environment.