Intake Counselor Sign On

About the role

The Admissions Counselor at East Tennessee Behavioral Health plays a vital role in facilitating the admission process for patients seeking treatment. This position requires strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to balance administrative and therapeutic responsibilities in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission.
• Communicate benefit eligibility to the business office and the patient or significant other.
• Collaborate with other facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
• Carefully coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
• Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
• Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patient (including medical comorbidity information) is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.
• Schedule (when applicable) and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to patient or their family.
• Possess skill in preparing and maintaining appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.
• Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
• Admit patient in the registration and accounting system.
• Complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows).
• Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.
• Three or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.
• Experience in the managed care pre-certification process, level of care assessments and utilization preferred.
• Current licensure, as required for the area of clinical specialty, i.e., current RN license, CAC or other clinical counseling or therapy license, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.

Skills

• Strong clinical judgment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to balance administrative and therapeutic responsibilities.
• Empathy and professionalism.
• A commitment to patient safety.

Benefits

Competitive compensation with industry leading annual performance-based bonus opportunity
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match to support your financial future
Stock-based awards, giving you a stake in Acadia’s success
Generous paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays
Professional development & leadership training to sharpen your skills
Career mobility within Acadia