Access Screener

Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System; Kingsford (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Part time

Job summary

Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System in Kingsford, MI seeks an Access Screener to assess eligibility for specialty mental health services. The role involves interviewing clients, coordinating referrals, and ensuring documentation meets regulatory standards.

The position can be full-time or part-time based on availability, offering the opportunity to support individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and mental health needs in the local community.

Qualifications

• Clinical interviewing and history-taking to determine eligibility for services.
• Knowledge of medical necessity and referral processes for specialty mental health services.
• Ability to prepare clinical summaries and coordinate with other agencies.

Responsibilities

• Interviews individuals to obtain information concerning clinical history in order to complete an access screening assessment.
• Ability to assess for priority population for medical necessity of specialty mental health services.
• Provides referral/linkage for various tests and ensures results are integrated into the plan of service.
• Knowledge of therapeutic treatment and/or interventions to assist individuals in controlling disorders and other problems.
• Ability to write clinical summaries demonstrating medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services.
• Provides for consultation, reporting, coordination and referral to other staff as clinically appropriate.
• Conducts measurement of clinical outcomes and client satisfaction as directed.
• Maintains workload as established by supervisor.
• Participates in community education, staff training, and professional development.

Skills

Clinical interviewing

Assessment skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling

Michigan license requirements

LMSW / MSW licensure

Licensed Psychologist / Psychology licensure

Licensed Professional Counselor / LPC

Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor

Full clinical licensure within 6 months

Valid driver’s license

Community mental health experience (2+ years)

Experience with developmental/intellectual disability or mental illness

Job description

Description

Northpointe is a Community Mental Health (CMH) organization providing services to individuals with serious mental illness, emotional disturbance, substance abuse disorders, and intellectual/developmental disabilities across Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties in the UP of Michigan. Northpointe itself was established in 1995 but has roots as a CMH dating back to 1964. Our presence can be found through remote emergency services, in school and home-based programs, and in clinical and residential home settings.

Job Purpose

We are looking for a passionate, driven individual to join our team as an Access Screener in our Outpatient program based in Kingsford, Michigan. This role if offered on a part- or full-time basis depending on candidate availability. Candidates for this role will provide assessment and provisional diagnosis of individuals requesting access to Specialty Mental Health Services relating to intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness, and/or emotional problems. Access Screeners determine the initial eligibility of individuals for qualification as a person with a Severe Mental Illness, Severe Emotional Disturbance, or Intellectual/Developmental Disability.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Interviews individuals to obtain information concerning clinical history in order to complete an access screening assessment.
• Ability to assess for priority population for medical necessity of specialty mental health services.
• Provides referral/linkage for various tests such as psychological tests, personality inventories, and intelligence quotient tests, to identify behavioral or personality traits and intelligence levels, and ensures results are integrated into the individual plan of service.
• Knowledge of therapeutic treatment and/or interventions to assist individuals in controlling disorders and other problems, utilizing methods and/or techniques consistent with known professional best practices and ethical conduct.
• Ability to write clinical summaries demonstrating medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services
• Provides for consultation, reporting, coordination and referral to other agency staff and programs, community organizations, or external health care professionals as determined to be clinically appropriate.
• Conducts measurement of individual clinical outcome and individual satisfaction as directed.
• Will maintain workload as established by supervisor.
• Participates in community education activities, staff training in-service, and continuing professional development as directed.
• Ensures that case records follow Northpointe policies and all other regulatory bodies requirements.
• Performs Clinical Peer Reviews of assessments that resulted in a denial of CMH services (i.e., Second Opinion Assessments).
• Participates in teams, trainings, committees, and activities as requested.

Requirements

This position will actively support the mission, vision, and values of the agency and is offered on a full-time basis.

Education, Certifications, and/or Experience

• Minimum of either Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling
• Michigan license requirements
• Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker or Master’s Social Worker
• Limited Licensed Psychologist, or Licensed Psychologist
• Limited Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor
• Must obtain full clinical licensure (i.e., LMSW, LLP or LPC) within 6 months of being eligible for such licensure.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Experience working in a community mental health facility for a minimum of 2 years preferred.
• Experience with individuals with a developmental/intellectual disability and/or mental illness preferred.