Clinical Admissions Counselor - Behavioral Health

Acadia Healthcare; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Acadia Healthcare is seeking a clinical professional to facilitate admissions, intake assessments, and utilization review, ensuring continuity of care and appropriate level of care for patients.

This role requires collaboration with medical and psychiatric staff, pre-admission assessments, and communication with payors and families. A social services background and licensure are preferred, with CPR/de-escalation certification required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows).
• Master's degree in social services or RN preferred (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing).
• One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health in clinical/observational settings preferred.
• Current licensure, as preferred for the clinical area, per state requirements.
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training provided on hire).

Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within policy timeframes.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Perform benefit eligibility to ensure coverage at admission.
• Collaborate with medical and psychiatric staff on referrals.
• Coordinate admission and transfer between levels of care.
• Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• Communicate projected admissions to internal staff promptly.
• Collect and review clinical information prior to admission.
• Schedule pre-admission assessments and consult with physicians.
• Prepare and maintain medical record documentation for payor authorization.
• Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission.
• Admit patient; complete admission and consent forms.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, professional attitude toward customers.
• Acknowledge and resolve complaints to support patient safety.
• Coordinate care for non-admitted patients and arrange follow-up.
• Demonstrate urgency to ensure patient safety and service quality.
• Conduct safety checks and supervise per guidelines.

Skills

Clinical communication

Empathy

Customer service

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Master’s degree in social services or RN preferred

Job description

Acadia Healthcare is seeking a clinical professional to facilitate admissions, intake assessments, and utilization review, ensuring continuity of care and appropriate level of care for patients.

This role requires collaboration with medical and psychiatric staff, pre-admission assessments, and communication with payors and families. A social services background and licensure are preferred, with CPR/de-escalation certification required.