Crisis Intervention Specialist, Sacred Heart (Weekend Program, Nights)

St. Luke's University Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown, PA seeks a Mental Health Crisis Intervention Specialist to assess and coordinate admissions for patients with psychiatric needs in the Emergency Department and Walk-In Center.

Provide referrals to appropriate levels of care, collaborate with physicians and BH staff, and ensure compliance with mental health regulations. This role supports utilization management and patient rights through admission decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year direct clinical mental health/crisis intervention experience.
• Experience with case management/utilization review and managed care models preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field with 2–6 years of equal job experience OR Master’s with 1–3 years experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake assessments for patients with mental health needs in the Emergency Department and Walk-In Center.
• Make referral recommendations to appropriate level of care.
• Interact with care teams (physicians, advanced practitioners, BH staff) to facilitate referrals and placements.
• Serve as liaison for other hospital/network sites regarding BH patients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental health regulations related to patient rights and admission status.
• Demonstrate competency in age-appropriate assessment, treatment, and communication.
• Demonstrates skill as a member of the Control Team in responding to agitation or violence, including de-escalation and restraints if needed.
• Supports utilization management regarding pre-certification for intakes and consults.
• Monitors the therapeutic environment as necessary.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Intake assessments

De-escalation

Referral coordination

Case management

Utilization management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Master's degree in Human Services

Master's degree preferred

Job description

St. Luke’s is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke’s are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for health care.

The primary duty of this position is to provide comprehensive crisis intervention, including coordination of admission / referral for patients and their families presenting for psychiatric symptom assessment. In addition, this position supports requests and assists other hospital services or external customers, in accessing the network Behavioral Health Services.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts intake assessments to patients presenting with mental health needs in the Emergency Department and/or Walk In Center and makes referral recommendations to appropriate level of care.

• Interacts with the care teams that may include, physicians, advanced practitioners and other team members in addition to other behavioral health (BH) staff to facilitate referral decisions and placement, may need to coordinate with other BH team members to assist with patient flow and appropriate placement issues.

• Serves as a liaison for other hospital / network sites. Supports the requests of other patient care areas regarding patients with mental health needs, when able.

• Demonstrates understanding and maintains knowledge of Mental Health regulations and procedures as they pertain to patient rights and status of admission (voluntary/involuntary).

• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development, and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

• Conducts intake assessments to patients presenting with mental health needs in the Emergency Department and/or Walk In Center and makes referral recommendations to appropriate level of care.

• Interacts with the care teams that may include, physicians, advanced practitioners and other team members in addition to other behavioral health (BH) staff to facilitate referral decisions and placement, may need to coordinate with other BH team members to assist with patient flow and appropriate placement issues.

• Serves as a liaison for other hospital / network sites. Supports the requests of other patient care areas regarding patients with mental health needs, when able.

• Demonstrates understanding and maintains knowledge of Mental Health regulations and procedures as they pertain to patient rights and status of admission (voluntary/involuntary).

• Demonstrates skill as a member of the Control Team, in responding to agitation/violent behavior of individuals requiring verbal de-escalation and/or physical restraint.

• Demonstrates competence in caring for the agitated/violent patient, who may require treatment with seclusion/restraints.

• Supports the function of utilization management regarding pre-certification process for all intakes and consults.

• Monitors the therapeutic environment as necessary.

• Other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICIAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting for up to 5 hours per day, 2 hours at a time. Standing for up to 1 hour per day, 1 hour at a time. Walking for up to 2 hours per day, 20 minutes at a time. Occasionally uses fingers to turn pages. Frequently uses hands to write, type, and hold charts. Rarely uses the hands or fingers for firm grasping or twisting/turning. Frequently uses upper extremities to lift and carry up to 10 pounds. Frequently stoops, occasionally squats, rarely reaches above shoulder level. Hearing as it relates to normal conversation in person or on telephone. Seeing as it relates to general vision, near vision, far vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

EDUCATION:

Mental health professional with a minimum of one of the following:

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 2-6 years of equal job experience.

Master’s degree in a human services field and 1-3 years of equal job experience.

Master’s degree is preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimally, 1 year of direct clinical mental health/crisis intervention experience required. Previous experience with case management/utilization review and managed care models preferred.

St. Luke’s University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.