Assessment Referral Specialist

Overview

This is a Thurs-Sat 7pm-7am shift with partial remote work.

The Assessment Referral Specialist is a member of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for conducting psychiatric assessments via telehealth for Emergency Department patients to determine the appropriate level of care. They respond to calls related to accessing behavioral health services, inquiries regarding clinical needs from potential patients, family members and care providers, and requests for admission or transfer from internal and external facilities.

• Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as telemedicine services and Air Med medical transportation.
• Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock
• Family support through fertility and family building benefits with Progyny and adoption assistance
• Referral services for child, elder and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning and more
• Consumer discounts through Abenity and Consumer Discounts
• Retirement readiness, rollover assistance services and preferred banking partnerships
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
• Colleague recognition program
• Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
• Employee Health Assistance Fund that offers free employee-only coverage to full-time and part-time colleagues based on income

General Statement of Duties: The Assessment & Referral Center (ARC) Specialist is a member of a multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for conducting psychiatric assessments via telehealth for patients who come through the Emergency Department to determine the appropriate level of care. They respond to calls related to accessing behavioral health services including requests for information, inquiries regarding clinical needs from potential patients, their family members and care providers, and to requests for admission or transfer from internal and external facilities.

• Completes age-appropriate psychiatric assessments of patients in the emergency department to include making recommendations to the requesting physician concerning behavioral health needs and arranges for transfer to another facility if needed. Provides referrals for those patients who are determined not to need hospitalization and notifies the appropriate persons or referral source of disposition.
• Demonstrates professionalism in the application of telehealth services to maintain quality care provided to the patient at the same or higher level as if the service were delivered in person.
• Completes employee psychiatric assessments to determine risk to self or others when necessary.
• Coordinates the delivery of telepsychiatric services to the requesting physician according to established guidelines. Assures clear proactive communication between physicians to support good clinical care to the patient.
• For the patient needing inpatient treatment verifies insurance benefits, eligibility and obtains pre-certification, arranges for an attending psychiatrist for the patient.
• Completes required documentation, which includes but is not limited to the psychiatric assessment, timely, thoroughly, and legibly.
• Works well as a member of a multi-disciplinary team maintaining effective communication with Emergency Department staff, Utilization Review Staff, Admissions Staff, Attending Psychiatrists, Inpatient Units, and all other Behavioral Health Services.

Minimum Education, Experience, Training, Required Knowledge, Skill, Abilities and Other Job-Related Characteristics:

• Education:
  
  ONE of the following:
• Master’s degree in social work
• Master’s degree in psychology or related field
• Graduate from an accredited nursing program
• Experience:
  
  At least 2 years in acute psychiatric care
• Employee completes initial and ongoing training and competencies as defined by the service line, facility and department/unit which are specific to the needs of the patient population served (if applicable).
• Preferred:
  Three (3) years experience in mental health setting, Emergency Department or crisis management

Has and maintains ONE of the following:

• Licensed Registered Nurse to practice professional nursing in the state of Texas (RN)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed…