Admissions Counselor (Weekends) PRN 7pm-7am

Acadia Healthcare; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga is seeking an Admissions Counselor for PRN shifts (7p-7a on Saturdays or Sundays). The role involves facilitating admissions, conducting clinical intake assessments, and managing utilization review processes to ensure appropriate level of care.

Bachelor’s degree in a social services field is required; Master’s degree or RN preferred. CPR and de-escalation certification required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (state dependent).
• Master's degree in social services or RN preferred.
• One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health.
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within policy timeframes.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at admission.
• Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care.
• Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives.
• Complete pre-admission assessments and communicate disposition recommendations to patients/families.
• Prepare and maintain medical record documentation for payor authorization.
• Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission before admission when possible.
• Admit patient to registration and accounting systems; complete forms with patient.
• Demonstrate professionalism and prioritize patient safety.
• Coordinate care for patients not admitted and arrange follow-up.
• Ensure safety checks and supervision as required.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Skills

Therapeutic relationships

Communication

Empathy

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in social services

Master's degree in social services or RN

Job description

Overview

Admissions Counselor - PRN - 7p-7a on Saturdays or Sundays

Master’s Level Candidates & RNs Encouraged to Apply

Pay Rates

Master’s Level: $21.57–$32.96/hr

RN: $36–$44.75/hr

About Erlanger Behavioral Health HospitalErlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is a supportive, patient‑centered environment where compassionate professionals work together to make a meaningful impact. Our team provides high‑quality, evidence‑based mental health care in a setting that values collaboration, respect, and personal growth.

If you’re passionate about mental health and want to help indi Finish viduals and families move toward hope, healing, and long‑term wellness, we’d love to consider you for our team.

Position PurposeThe Admissions Counselor is responsible for:

Facilitating admissions

Conducting clinical intake assessments

Managing utilization review processes

This role ensures patients receive the most appropriate level of care while supporting effective use of benefits and resources.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.

• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.

• Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission. Communicate benefit 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.

• Possess skill in preparing and maintaining 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. Complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.

• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

• When a patient’s needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize 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.

• Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring 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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows).

• Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.

• One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Current licensure, as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.

• CPR and de‑escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

• First aid may be preferred based on state or facility.

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed toprovidingequalemploymentopportunitiestoall applicantsforemploymentregardlessofanindividual’scharacteristicsprotected byapplicable state,federalandlocallaws.