Registered Nurse - Intake Nights

About the role

A partnership with CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. We are passionate about helping individuals manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long‑term wellness through a range of counseling and treatment options. The journey to healing begins here.

Responsibilities

• Admissions Process
  • Processes requests for admission from outside referral agencies and from within the community.
  • Reviews clinical packets for criteria in alignment with the capability and capacity of the facility.
  • Maintains understanding of Admission and Exclusionary Criteria and EMTALA.
  • Ensures prior authorizations are obtained for admissions.
  • Organizes information of patient’s current needs and provides a succinct clinical presentation to the admitting physician.
  • Completes Level of Care Assessments/Evaluations.
  • Collaborates with on‑call provider to determine appropriate disposition for the patient.
• Communication
  • Handles sensitive information appropriately and acts in a fair and honest manner consistent with the Company’s Code of Conduct, including reporting violations.
  • Builds and maintains communication processes to ensure efficient and effective transmission of information.
  • Works collaboratively with all departments to support the facility’s mission.
  • Ensures current state and federal regulatory standards related to communication of incidents are met.
  • Demonstrates timely communication of information to appropriate leadership channels commensurate with the situation.
• Customer Focus
  • Interacts with patients, family members, external entities and internal staff professionally and respectfully.
  • Adheres to systems and processes that promote a high level of commitment to anticipating, understanding and meeting the needs of patients, families, and other employees.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the community’s continuum of behavioral health resources.
  • Acts to preserve patient and family dignity and safety.
• Values Diversity
  • Seeks perspectives from persons with diverse opinions, motivations, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Shows appreciation for gender, race, age, and other differences.
• Documentation
  • Completes required admission documentation within the electronic medical record and internal web‑based systems.
  • Ensures medical records and reports are timely, legible, thorough, and in the required format.
  • Adheres to documentation standards for the department and facility in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Documents inquiry calls, assessments, managed‑care data, etc., as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Educational / Experience Requirements: Registered Nurse. Experience with crisis management or intake preferred.
• Qualifications / Skills:
  • Understanding of admission criteria for varying levels of care, commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, and community resources.
  • Interpersonal skills to develop rapport with patients, families, and referral sources.
  • Knowledge of growth and development principles appropriate to the patient population.
  • Ability to assess and interpret data to identify patient needs and provide appropriate referrals across age‑related and disability‑related populations (chronically mentally ill, adult, geriatric, chemically dependent).
  • Knowledge of mental illness, chemical dependency, and associated family dynamics.
  • Basic knowledge of chronic mental illness and clinical therapy modalities.
  • Excellent communication skills tailored to age‑specific patient needs.
  • Demonstrated assessment skills and ability to pass the general age/disability post‑test.
  • Versatility, flexibility, and ability to perform in stressful situations.
  • Strong time‑management and organizational abilities.
  • Proficiency in reading, writing, and following verbal and written instructions.
  • Knowledge of DSM‑IV‑R diagnoses.
  • Successful completion of CPR certification and an Oceans‑approved behavioral health de‑escalation program.

Work Environment

The position is subject to many interruptions and occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. It can be high‑paced and stressful; the incumbent must be able to cope mentally and physically with the atmosphere. The role may involve exposure to disagreeable odors, sights, and unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90 % or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.