Behavioral Health Specialist - Full Time Overnights - Emergency Department

The Behavioral Health Specialist I works in collaboration with the patient care team to provide assessment and coordination of care for mental health, behavioral health, and social needs for patients throughout the hospital. This position facilitates communication between patients, families, healthcare professionals, community and state agencies, and other interdisciplinary team members. Functions as a member of a professional team which provides evaluation and treatment for psychiatric patients including but not limited to: psychological assessment, crisis intervention, input on treatment decisions, case management, patient advocacy, care coordination, and community outreach. Contact psychiatric inpatient facilities to obtain placement for the patient, fax all patients records pertaining to this admission for review, obtain pre-authorization from insurance company, arrange transportation to the facility. For patients discharged from the ED, completes a crisis safety plan and set-up outpatient follow-up appointments. Completes patient signature of authorization to release medical information to the facility. Outreach and coordination to drug and alcohol facilities to obtain admission to inpatient rehab for patients meeting the criteria. Obtains information from patients and other appropriate sources upon which treatment recommendations are initiated, records all information in medical record. Involves patient, family and others as appropriate in delivery of care and treatment recommendations. Works with patient to determine goals to be achieved during course of treatment. Makes arrangements for safe and expedient transfer of patients as required. Acts as a resource of information, and a referral source, for patients and families, care team members, etc. Sets up appointments, arranges for follow-up treatment as indicated. Strives to support quality patient care, patient satisfaction and to assist in the accomplishment of related goals. Assists with insurance verification and authorization procedures. Part of interdisciplinary team that ensures the patients progress in the acute episode of care through post discharge and is quality driven while being efficient and cost effective. Interacts with patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and community and state agencies. Serving as a liaison between the hospital and community agencies or facilities for the exchanges of clinical and referral information. Identifies high risk patients from a psychosocial/financial perspective, assesses the psychological needs of patients and families, and provides information, support, counseling, care management, and referrals to appropriate resources. Resolve psychosocial patient care issues and to develop and implement a complex patient transition/discharge plan. Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.