Intake Specialist - Independence Center

BJC HealthCare; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking community health center dedicated to supporting adults with mental illness. As an Intake Specialist, you will play a vital role in the initial screening and evaluation of individuals seeking services. This position offers the opportunity to connect clients with essential resources and provide interim case management, ensuring they receive the support they need. With a focus on creating a welcoming environment, you will engage clients empathetically and utilize evidence-based therapies to foster their independence and well-being. If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, this role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Disability insurance paid by employer

Pension Plan/403(b) Plan

401(k) plan with employer match

Tuition Assistance

Paid Time Off

Adoption assistance

Qualifications

• Master's degree required with 2-5 years of experience in behavioral health.
• LPC or LCSW licensure is mandatory for this role.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial evaluations and triage services based on assessed needs.
• Provide brief therapy and interim case management for clients.

Skills

Clinical Assessments

Crisis Management

Evidence-Based Therapies

Engagement Skills

Knowledge of Mental Illness

Education

Master's Degree in Education or related field

Job description

Additional Information About the Role

Independence Center (IC) is an internationally recognized, community-based behavioral health organization for adults in St Louis living with a mental illness. Our mission is to provide all the services and resources a person living with a serious and persistent mental illness needs, to manage their symptoms, find belonging and purpose, and gain the independence to live a healthy, quality life. Since 1981, IC has offered a comprehensive system of programs and services including housing, case management, psychiatric care, employment and vocational support, wellness and social opportunities. Our programs create a restorative environment that includes the support of others who are in recovery and access to targeted resources that equip them to initiate and sustain the healthy behaviors necessary to live and work independently in the community. If, like us, you believe that every person has the right to a meaningful, caring and challenging community, then we have a career for you at Independence Center.

• The Intake Specialist will work in our Welcome Center - In-Person (this is not a remote position)
• Shift is Monday - Friday; 8 AM to 4 PM - No weekends/holidays
• In this role you will be completing clinical assessments for current clients/members for services at the Independence Center
• LPC or LCSW Required (no provisionally licensed)

Overview

BJC Behavioral Health is a community health center that provides and coordinates behavioral health services for more than 8,000 seriously mentally ill adults and seriously emotionally disturbed children in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. François, Iron and Washington counties. As an Administrative Agent of the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), BJC Behavioral Health serves as a major point of entry for people eligible for mental health services funded by DMH and is responsible for serving as gatekeeper to the public mental health system.

Role Purpose

The Intake Specialist provides the initial screening and evaluation of individuals seeking service from BJC Behavioral Health. This position will use its knowledge of eligibility requirements to refer and connect individuals to services, both internal and external, that will address the identified need. This position will also provide interim case management for those who will receive case management internally but have yet to be assigned to a team. Additionally, the Intake Specialist will provide brief evidence-based therapies to address problems that can be resolved through clients' own actions and/or thought processes.

Responsibilities

1. Provide an initial evaluation of need, triage services according to assessed need, and, if appropriate for BJC BH services, complete an initial psychosocial assessment and treatment plan, that meets accrediting and third party payer requirements. Components of this include the ability to accurately evaluate an individual’s observed and stated symptoms and the reports of others and make recommendations based on these evaluations; the training to perform a mental status exam; the ability to assess crisis and safety issues; the ability to assign an accurate provisional ICD 10 diagnosis; the ability to administer standardized assessments that demonstrate inter-rater reliability, (i.e. DLA-20, Level 1 Dx. Screenings, Suicide Risk Assessments, etc.) to determine areas of concern and levels of functioning; the ability to make recommendations that demonstrate current knowledge of issues related to mental illness and serious emotional disturbances and are logical conclusions of the information gathered; the ability to clearly and succinctly present the information gathered in a formal assessment that presents relevant history and the clients’ current clinical picture. Recommendations are a logical conclusion to the information presented.
2. The ability to quickly engage individuals and families to form a trusting relationship and the ability to use the relationship to gather accurate information in order to formulate realistic treatment goals. The ability to engage individuals in a non-threatening empathetic manner. Uses language and behaviors that consistently reflect and enhance the dignity of individuals with mental illness.
3. Knowledgeable of the growth and development stages of all age and ethnic groups, the psychiatric illnesses that may afflict each age and ethnic group, and the evidence-based treatments that best address issues identified for each group. Knows and uses best practices guidelines for interventions and support strategies. Understands the principles of a Children’s System of Care and Fidelity Wraparound. Knows and is able to provide a range of crisis prevention and intervention approaches across developmental stages. Knows about societal, cultural, racial, gender, age, and other issues related to mental illness and its treatment. Is knowledgeable about health issues and their impact on mental illness. Is knowledgeable about psychotropic medications.
4. Knowledge of the various services and levels of care provided by BJC Behavioral Health and other community agencies. Understanding of the diagnostic, financial, and functional (social, vocational, cognitive, and educational) criteria for acceptance by the teams and services of BJC BH. Works collaboratively within team and across service system. Assisting team members with difficult cases. Assists in building positive working relationships within and across the service system; e.g., agency and interagency teams, contract providers, family members, service recipients, and concerned others.
5. Demonstrates competency to provide brief therapy to adults, children, and families. Meets and maintains clinical competency in therapies that address problems of living that are assessed to be resolved through the individual or family’s own actions and/or thought processes, including CBT, DBT, and Motivational Engagement.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Master's Degree in Education/related

Experience

• 2-5 years

Supervisor Experience

• No Experience

Licenses & Certifications

• LCSW or LPC

Preferred Requirements

Licenses & Certifications

• Licensed Master Social Worker

Benefits and Legal Statement

BJC Total Rewards

At BJC we’re committed to providing you and your family with benefits and resources to help you manage your physical, emotional, social and financial well-being.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and legal services available first day of the month after hire date
• Disability insurance paid for by BJC
• Pension Plan/403(b) Plan funded by BJC
• 401(k) plan with BJC match
• Tuition Assistance available on first day
• BJC Institute for Learning and Development
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off benefit combines vacation, sick days, holidays and personal time
• Adoption assistance

To learn more, go to www.bjctotalrewards.com/Benefits

*Not all benefits apply to all jobs

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Equal Opportunity Employer