Behavioral Health Admissions & Assessment Specialist

Universal Health Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) in Washington, DC seeks an Assessment Coordinator to be the first contact for behavioral health services, conduct comprehensive assessments, and coordinate admissions. You will work with clinical professionals, referral partners, and hospital departments to ensure timely, supportive care.

Ideal candidates are licensed behavioral health professionals with strong clinical judgment, organizational skills, and a commitment to patient-centered care in a

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work or a clinical mental health field.
• Current LPC or LICSW license in DC.
• Minimum one year in a psychiatric and chemical dependency setting.
• One to three years in intake/admissions in managed care.
• CPR/BLS certification per AHA.
• Experience with referral agencies and community providers.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and behavioral health assessment.
• Familiar with voluntary/involuntary admissions and court commitments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive clinical needs assessments and evaluate patient presentations.
• Facilitate admissions by completing pre-evaluation questionnaires and documenting assessments.
• Coordinate with supervisors and teams to prioritize assessments and 24-hour coverage.
• Schedule diagnostic evaluations and confirm appointments to ensure timely access.
• Support insurance verification, finances, and admission certifications with Business Office.
• Guide patients and families through admissions, explain expectations, and provide tours.
• Maintain communications with referral sources and clinical partners for coordinated admissions.
• Support admissions processing, quality assurance, staff development, and process improvement.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Compassion

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Interdisciplinary coordination

Education

MSW or clinical mental health degree

DC LPC/LICSW license

Job description

Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) in Washington, DC seeks an Assessment Coordinator to be the first contact for behavioral health services, conduct comprehensive assessments, and coordinate admissions. You will work with clinical professionals, referral partners, and hospital departments to ensure timely, supportive care.

Ideal candidates are licensed behavioral health professionals with strong clinical judgment, organizational skills, and a commitment to patient-centered care in a