Emergency Department Intake Counselor-Weekend Program

Hugh Chatham Health; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 46,000 - 68,000; Part time

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking an ED Intake Counselor for the 36647 Aurora Psychiatric Hospital. This part-time role offers weekend coverage with 24 hours per week and shifts 0700–1930 at WAM.

The position involves intake assessments, crisis intervention, insurance verification and coordination with ED staff, psychiatry, Case Management, and community resources.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in Social Work or Psychology and about two years’ related therapy/assessment experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in Social Work or Psychology.
• Approximately 2 years of therapy or assessment experience in behavioral health.
• Knowledge of insurance processes and managed care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducts initial intake assessments for level of care placement in collaboration with ED, psychiatry and acute care units.
• Assists with crisis intervention and maintains patient safety; collaborates with police and community agencies.
• Triages requests for services by phone, in person, or telepsychiatry; schedules and refers patients.
• Verifies patient insurance; completes pre-authorizations and documents in EMR; explains benefits.
• Documents in EMR; completes assessments, crisis treatment plans, discharge recommendations.
• Provides consultation/assessment services to acute care units and assists with triage and staff orientation.
• Supports intake staff and informs manager of policy changes and new programs.
• Provides clinical therapeutic services to diverse populations.
• Documents requests for psychiatric consultations and ensures completion.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Crisis intervention

Insurance knowledge

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Master's Degree in Psychology (Clinical)

Master's Degree in Psychology (Educational)

Master's Degree in Psychology (Counseling)

Job description

Department

36647 Aurora Psychiatric Hospital - ED Intake Counselors

Status

Part time

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Hours Per Week

24

Schedule Details/Additional Information

Every Weekend (Sat and Sun) 0700-1930 at WAM

Pay Range

$33.05 - $49.60

Major Responsibilities

• Conducts initial intake assessments for the determination of Behavioral Health patient level of care placement in collaboration with emergency departments, psychiatry, and acute care units. Collaborates with psychiatry to recommend appropriate level of care to attending physicians and community based referral sources.
• Assists with crisis intervention and intervenes in emergencies utilizing proper procedures, therapeutic counseling and de-escalation skills. Maintains patient safety by collaborating with loss prevention, hospital physicians, and caregivers. Provides collaboration with local police departments and rescue services. Contributes to the development of emergency department communication information when appropriate. Secures appropriate Releases of Information and facilitates collaboration with community agencies and providers to promote continuity of care.
• Triages requests for services by phone, in person, or through telepsychiatry. Answer incoming calls regarding admissions, referrals, community resources or general information related to clinical programming and ABHS inpatient or outpatient services. Schedules, transfers and refers patients for clinical assessment as needed or requested. Refers to resources available throughout ABHS or community-based resources.
• Verifies patient’s insurance to ensure accurate benefits and appropriate referral to providers for services. Completes pre-authorization requirements and documents authorizations received in the electronic medical record. Records name of authorizing person at the insurance company, date and time. Explains and assists the patient in understanding their insurance benefits when information is available. Collaborates with Case Management to ensure authorizations are complete and accurate.
• Documents in the electronic medical records, obtaining detailed and thorough information. Completes accurate and timely assessments of patients as reflected in documentation, with particular emphasis on patient safety and risk factors. Documentation responsibilities include assessment, crisis treatment plans, and discharge recommendations. Identifies discharge planning by documenting aftercare needs. Accurately completes all documentation responsibilities as outlined in department/service area procedures within established time lines. Communicates needs to case management / social work caregivers through phone contact, electronically and in chart documentation while adhering to department protocols/policies.
• Provides consultation/assessment services to acute care units, or other areas as assigned, providing consultation on complex patient needs and safety issues upon request. Assesses urgent care needs of patients, provide crisis counseling, individual assessments, and obtain appropriate authorizations. Acts as a liaison to referral sources, therapists, physicians, other caregivers, or the community and informs them of the services recommended to their patients.
• Assists in providing support to all the intake staff throughout the system for triage and assessment functions, through on-site, telephonic, or telepsychiatry service. Provides assistance in distributing and informing staff about changes in policies, procedures, processes and implementation of new programs, procedures and policies. Informs manager of operational issues, problems and concerns in the department and hospital settings in a timely manner.
• Assists in orientation of new staff. Responsible for maintaining intake statistics, maintenance of current community resource information and monitors service activities.
• Provides clinical therapeutic services to diverse populations. Accepts for assessment and treats all patients willingly and with professionalism.
• Documents requests for psychiatric consultation service, notifies consultants and verifies completion of consultations on appropriate forms and electronically.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• None Required.

Education Required

• Master's Degree in Social Work, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Clinical, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Educational, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or related field.

Experience Required

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in providing therapy and/or assessments in behavioral health.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Requires previous experience in the clinical assessment of psychiatric and chemical dependency disorders of all age populations.
• Demonstrates awareness in working with insurance companies and managed care review agencies.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the State of Wisconsin Mental Health, Emergency Detention and Development Disabilities Code.
• Must have excellent oral, written communication and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Will frequently be required to lift 25 lbs. without assistance, and will occasionally be required to lift 25 lbs. with assistance.
• May be exposed to the following hazards: mechanical, chemical, blood and body fluids.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders and twist.
• Ability to work with an agitated individual using proper-de-escalation techniques.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment To You

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits And More

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.