Lead Mental Health Evaluator

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The Lead Mental Health Evaluator delivers advanced, clinically appropriate, culturally competent, and trauma-informed behavioral health interventions in the hospital Emergency Department (ED). Primary responsibilities include providing direct clinical services such as psychiatric emergency evaluations, consultations, substance use disorder assessments, psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and family/collateral engagement. In addition to clinical duties, the Lead MHE supports coordination of aftercare for patients discharged from the ED, and oversees the scheduling, training, and guidance of Mental Health Evaluators (MHEs) assigned to the department.

The Lead MHE ensures that MHEs meet productivity standards, complete documentation within required time frames, and collaborate effectively as part of the interdisciplinary team to uphold high-quality patient care.

• Coordinate and guide the discharge planning function for behavioral health patients discharged from the ED, including referrals to clinics, housing services, residential health care facilities, psychiatric rehabilitation hospitals, and community supports.
• Provide in-service training to MHE staff and other disciplines on selected topics and orient new staff to the role of Mental Health Evaluator.
• Complete required statistics and other recording for MHE operations, prepare and administer MHE staffing schedules.
• Represent the hospital at community meetings and act as liaison and coordinator between community and hospital programs.
• Gather relevant psychosocial and diagnostic information, conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, conduct thorough interviews with patients and collateral resources, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary ED and Psychiatry Department teams to determine appropriate level of care.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using electronic medical records, online resource applications, and telepsychiatry platforms. Provide clinical summary for inpatient psychiatric admission with identified purpose and need for hospitalization.
• Identify patient needs, develop safe, comprehensive plan for services promoting recovery and preventing readmission. Maintain timely documentation of assessments, interventions, discharge planning, and communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with other clinical and administrative staff to coordinate patient care. Initiate and maintain communication regarding patient disposition with families, guardians, outpatient providers, education providers, law enforcement, and stakeholders.
• Assess for child and adult abuse and respond accordingly. Demonstrate knowledge of Advance Directives, Guardianship proceedings, and laws.
• Complete pre-certification of inpatient admissions with managed care companies as required. Exhibit cultural competence in assessments and disposition planning. Serve as patient advocate and maintain confidentiality. Adhere to hospital and departmental policies and state and federal regulations.
• Participate in continuing education and complete mandatory hospital and department trainings. Participate in behavioral health and hospital-based Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement programs. Perform other duties as assigned.

• At least three years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, with evidence of formal responsibility for aspects of training, supervision, and/or other advanced clinical role.
• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited graduate program.
• New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to document within an Electronic Medical Record and utilize any necessary online platforms.
• Ability to function within the fast-paced Emergency Department setting, completing evaluations and interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioral, and/or psychological crisis.

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Education and Training

Hospitals and Health Care