Emergency Psychiatric Program Assistant - PRN

About the role

This front-desk/reception position serves as the first point of contact for patients, visitors, and callers. You will manage a multi-line switchboard, route inquiries, and provide resource information to individuals seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment. The role involves coordination with external providers, crisis intervention support, and seamless patient care transitions.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist patients and visitors at the front desk.
• Answer and route calls on a multi-line switchboard, addressing inquiries of varying subject matter.
• Send and deliver faxes as needed.
• Provide resource information to callers (consumers and family members) seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• Field calls from outside providers regarding inpatient bed availability or psychiatric emergency room referrals.
• Maintain knowledge of SCS’s programs and site locations.
• Ensure patients receive written materials upon discharge, including paperwork, prescriptions, appointment details, and crisis contact information.
• Provide low-level crisis intervention, offering support and arranging for on-site crisis intervention or linking callers to trained counselors.
• Enter and retrieve patient data in electronic information systems, including Seven Counties Services and University of Louisville Hospital systems.
• Assemble legal health records, ensuring all required clinical documentation (e.g., evaluations, progress notes, legal hold forms) is included.
• Process billing forms and verify completeness of documentation.
• Notarize Mental Inquest Warrants, ensuring legal requirements are met.
• Arrange ambulance transport to inpatient facilities.
• Communicate with police departments and mental inquest warrant clerks to assist the clinical team in obtaining necessary information.
• Coordinate with inpatient psychiatric units to facilitate seamless patient care transfers.
• Monitor patients for signs of agitation, alert the clinical team, and contact security if needed.
• Participate in crisis intervention techniques and respond as required.
• Multitask efficiently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision as a key member of a multidisciplinary team.

Requirements

• Completion of up to 18 months of business school beyond high school, or 3–4 years of clerical/administrative experience without formal business school training.
• 1–2 years of experience in an office setting performing clerical or administrative tasks.
• Experience in a mental health or social services setting preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Typing speed of 40–50 words per minute.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally (e.g., ledgers, medical records, or computer equipment).
• Occasional walking, standing, stooping, or bending.
• Occasional exposure to office chemicals.
• Continual use of a video display terminal.

Schedule

Part time