Behavioral Health Crisis Assessor | North | PRN

1200 MH-Memphis Hospitals; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

1200 MH-Memphis Hospitals in Memphis, Tennessee is seeking a qualified candidate for a role in behavioral health assessments. Responsibilities include evaluating patients in crisis, coordinating care with community providers, promoting mental health education, and complying with healthcare protocols.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s Degree, substantial experience in the field, and be licensed as a Clinical Social Worker or equivalent in Tennessee.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in behavioral health, preferably in an acute care setting.
• Knowledge of substance use clinical assessment and crisis stabilization.
• Proficiency in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating mental health disorders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients in crisis to determine intervention.
• Coordinate care and facilitate referrals for patients.
• Promote behavioral health education in patient care.

Skills

Crisis assessment

Effective communication

Data mining

Collaborative teamwork

Critical thinking

Education

Master’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work

Tools

Electronic medical records

Word

Job description

Overview

Responsible for evaluating patients in need of behavioral health assessments in the Emergency Department, inpatient, and community settings; coordinating care with hospital and community providers to ensure patient‑centered transitions and progress.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients to gather information about backgrounds, needs, and progress.
• Evaluate patients in crisis situations to determine appropriate intervention and facilitate external referral when necessary.
• Utilize empirically‑supported, focused interventions to treat common mental health conditions and psychosocial components of chronic medical illness.
• Participate in clinic team meetings to support patient care.
• Promote and provide behavioral health education on standards of care for mental illness and substance abuse, and manage psychosocial aspects of chronic conditions.
• Monitor the behavioral health program, collect data to measure outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Demonstrate values and standards of the social work/human service field, following the licensed professional code of ethics.
• Coordinate care for patients not admitted to hospital to ensure appropriate follow‑up and referrals.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with community and healthcare entities.
• Identify barriers to discharge, develop plans to address them, and facilitate safe discharge processes.
• Facilitate involvement of agencies and support networks for patient discharge.
• Ensure compliance with protocols for child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, and specialty clinic referrals.
• Perform benefit eligibility assessment at admission/assessment.
• Adhere to all health system protocols and policies regarding suicide, homicide, and other patient safety risk factors.
• Maintain documentation, tracking, and monitoring assessment cases.
• Identify problems and opportunities for improvement related to patient services and make recommendations.
• Facilitate Behavioral Health Department group programming based on cognitive behavioral and psychoeducational interventions.
• Perform emergency/inpatient data mining to enhance patient flow.
• Reconcile Behavioral Health EPIC room and board charges daily.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work.
• Experience: 3‑5 years in behavioral health; 1‑3 years in acute care; 2 years in inpatient/acute care setting.
• Experience with crisis assessment and evidence‑based interventions in hospital or primary healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of substance use clinical assessment and crisis stabilization.
• Proficiency in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, and government regulations.
• Basic computer skills: Word, internet navigation, electronic medical records.
• Effective verbal and written communication with all levels of staff, patients, families, and community agencies.
• Ability to establish constructive relationships and handle conflict‑laden situations.
• Critical thinking and independent judgment without close supervision.
• Interpersonal skills for collaborative work within an interdisciplinary team.
• Screening and assessment skills for common mental health and substance use disorders.
• Interviewing and de‑escalation techniques.
• Knowledge of family systems, human development across lifespan, and cultural competency.
• Facilitation skills for cognitive and behavioral interventions in ED, inpatient, or outpatient settings.
• Data mining skills to improve patient outcomes.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tennessee Board of Social Workers
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists
• Licensed Professional Counselor, Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists
• Psychologist, Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology

Physical Demands

The role may require climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. It may involve light work up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10 lbs frequently. Requires good balance, coordination, and visual acuity for tasks such as data preparation and computer use. Exposure to patient body fluids and hazardous materials is possible; the role must react quickly to emergency situations.

Okta Support

Supervision is provided by the same position; there is no lead or supervisory responsibility. Delegation to administrative support staff is permissible if applicable.