Behavior Specialist - (BH) - PRN

nghs; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Gainesville and Braselton campuses seek a clinician to provide comprehensive mental health and chemical dependency assessments, brief counseling, and referrals. The role covers adolescents to geriatrics and requires adherence to Laurelwood and NGHS policies while supporting various operational functions.

Responsibilities include intake review, pre-certifications, and careful documentation.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for assessments.
• Ability to gather data and formulate clinical disposition.
• Skilled in interviewing for mental health and addiction evaluations.
• Capable of independent work following protocol and procedures.
• Maintains licensure and pursues full licensure as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health and chemical dependency assessments in ER, floor, or Laurelwood lobby.
• Coordinate with intake and referents; complete paperwork and pre-certifications as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of intake, assessments, and dispositions.
• Provide counseling per protocol and document sessions in medical records.
• Participate in performance improvement activities.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Data gathering

Interviewing

Independent work

Education

Master's degree (MSW/ Psychology/ Counseling)

Job description

Job Category: Behavioral Health, Counseling, and Clergy

Work Shift/Schedule: Varies

About the Role:

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

Job Summary

Provides assessments and referrals of mental health and chemical dependency patients presenting at NGMC Gainesville and Braselton and various support functions necessary for the operation of Laurelwood. This position will also provide brief counseling as indicated to patients currently served by NGMC Gainesville and Braselton. Provides service for a full range of patients including adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. Employee performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres to policy and procedures of Laurelwood and NGHS.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Georgia license in Social Work (LCSW), Marriage & Family Therapy (LMFT), or Professional Counseling (LPC) required. Maintains current BCLS certification.
• Educational Requirements: Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or other related field that meets the requirements for licensure in the state of Georgia.
• Minimum Experience: One (1) to three (3) years interview and assessment experience with patients having psychiatric, emotional, or chemical dependency problems preferred.
• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

Preferred Educational Requirements:

Preferred Experience:

Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Communication skills
• Positive interpersonal skills
• Ability to gather data and come up with clinically sound disposition for patient being assessed
• Ability to interview, gather data, and facilitate disposition
• Ability to function with independence and autonomy, following proper protocol and procedure

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

Provides assessments for mental health and chemical dependency patients. Conducts mental health and chemical dependency assessments in ER, NGMC Floor, or Laurelwood lobby (and other areas as designated) in an exceptionally responsive manner following the established protocol. Reviews all intake assessments on a daily basis to ensure that the triage protocol was followed. Attends intake supervision/staff meetings for the purpose of in-service, communication and problem solving. Clinical interviews are indicated by accurate and thorough assessments. Responds appropriately to all intake calls and request of Laurelwood staff with assistance of intake backup calls. Conducts pre-certification as needed with all payer sources. Routes all paperwork regarding pre-certification to the appropriate parties. Pre-certification includes voluntary and involuntary admission. Can operate independently, following proper protocol and procedures. All information regarding intake calls, assessments and other documentation is logged and paperwork completed and filed in the appropriate location. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers, referents, the North Georgia Medical Center and Laurelwood clinical and medical staff. Referral communications worksheet is completed on all admissions, voluntary or involuntary and routed to the appropriate area. Contacts all referents to inform of disposition, even if assessment is not an admission.

Participates in performance improvement activities.

Maintains appropriate records of patient intake. Reviews all intake records daily to ensure proper information has been recorded. Responsible for checking email on a daily basis to keep current with all job related communications. Monitors monthly intake assessments obtained by the intake staff to ensure that the standards of care for each patient are met.

Provides counseling for patients as indicated by established protocol. Provides counseling for patients while the patient is having services provided by NGMC or affiliates. Will document assessment thoroughly in medical record. Will document the occurrence of each session in established department log.

Maintains license and, if not fully licensed, will actively pursue full licensure.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% of time

Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30%

Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,