Admissions Counselor Acute

Rebound Behavioral Health Hospital; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional mental health provider is seeking a dedicated Admissions Counselor. This essential role ensures individuals receive timely and compassionate support upon reaching out for help. Responsibilities include developing therapeutic relationships, coordinating admissions, and ensuring compliance with clinical requirements. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in social services, experience in behavioral health, and relevant licensure. This position requires excellent communication and organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services required; Master's preferred.
• One or more years of experience in mental or behavioral health.
• Current licensure as required for the clinical specialty.

Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within timeframes.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Master’s degree in psychology or related field

Job description

Rebound Behavioral Health Hospital, one of the region’s leading providers of inpatient and outpatient treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, is seeking a dedicated Admissions Counselor to join our team. This role is essential in ensuring that individuals entering our care receive timely, clinically appropriate, and compassionate support from the moment they reach out for help.

Education, Experience & Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if permitted by state regulations)
• Master’s degree preferred in psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing, or a related social services field; RN also preferred
• One or more years of experience in mental or behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred
• Strong assessment, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, patient‑centered environment

Licenses, Designations & Certifications

• Current licensure as required for the clinical specialty (e.g., RN license, CAC, or other counseling/therapy license as designated by the state)
• CPR and de‑escalation/restraint certification required
• First Aid certification may be required depending on state or facility guidelines
• Training will be provided upon hire by the facility

Essential Functions

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Perform benefit eligibility checks to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission and communicate eligibility to the business office and the patient or significant other.
• Collaborate with facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
• Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
• Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
• Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patients, including medical comorbidity information, is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.
• Schedule (when applicable) and complete pre‑admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or their family.
• Prepare and maintain appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.
• Complete initial pre‑authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
• Admit the patient to the registration and accounting system and complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers always and resolve complaints, recognizing that patient safety is a top priority.
• Coordinate care for patients who are not being admitted and ensure that they receive appropriate follow‑up care and referrals.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
• Conduct safety checks and ensure that supervision is conducted at 15‑minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or by individualized supervision guidelines as needed.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Additional Regulatory Requirements

• While the job description reflects the requirements of the role, management reserves the right to add or remove duties due to emergencies, workload changes, or technological developments.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.