Mental Health Evaluator

Westchester Medical Center; Town of Mount Pleasant (NY); Presencial; USD 95.000 - 135.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Westchester Medical Center is seeking a Mental Health Evaluator for the hospital Emergency Department. The role conducts psychiatric evaluations, consultations, and crisis interventions, coordinating aftercare and ensuring timely documentation.

Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling and NY license. Candidates must have 2+ years in a medical or mental health setting and strong communication skills.

Formación

• Two years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting.
• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited program.
• New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.

Responsabilidades

• Gather psychosocial and diagnostic information to conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations.
• Interview patients and collateral resources; coordinate with ED and Psychiatry teams.
• Determine level of care and document using EMR and telepsychiatry platforms.
• Provide inpatient summary with purpose and need for hospitalization when required.
• Complete legal documentation and discuss Patient's Bill of Rights with patients.
• Develop discharge plans to promote recovery and prevent readmission.
• Maintain timely documentation of assessments, interventions, and communications.
• Orient and educate new staff; participate in quality improvement activities.

Conocimientos

Excellent communication skills

EMR documentation

Educación

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling

New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license

Descripción del empleo

Job Summary:

The Mental Health Evaluator (MHE) is a critical role dedicated to delivering comprehensive, clinically appropriate, culturally competent, and trauma-informed patient behavioral health interventions in the hospital Emergency Department. Responsibilities include conducting psychiatric emergency evaluations, psychiatric consultations, substance use disorder evaluations, psychoeducation, crisis interventions, family/collateral engagement, and coordinating aftercare for patients discharged from the Emergency Department. The MHE ensures adherence to productivity standards, completes all required documentation within set timeframes, and collaborates as an essential member of the interdisciplinary team to maintain high-quality patient care. The MHE reports to the Regional Program Manager for the Crisis Care Division.

Responsibilities:

• Gather relevant psychosocial and diagnostic information using available resources to conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations.
• Conduct thorough interviews with patients and collateral resources associated with patients.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary Emergency Department and Psychiatry Department teams to determine the appropriate level of care for each patient.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using electronic medical records, online collateral resource applications, and telepsychiatry platforms.
• For patients requiring inpatient psychiatric admission, provide a clinical summary with a clearly identified purpose and need for hospitalization.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all legal statuses for patients and ensure the completion of appropriate legal documentation.
• Ensure patients are familiar with the Patient’s Bill of Rights, legal status, and hospital programs.
• Identify the patient's needs if being discharged and develop a safe, comprehensive plan for services that promote recovery and prevent readmission.
• Maintain timely and comprehensive documentation of assessments, interventions, discharge planning and communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively, respectfully and effectively with others, and communicate frequently and efficiently with other clinical and administrative staff to coordinate patient care.
• Initiate and maintain communication regarding patient disposition with families, guardians, outpatient providers, education providers, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assess for child and adult abuse, determining the need for reporting and responding accordingly.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Advance Directives, guardianship proceedings and laws.
• Complete pre-certification of inpatient admissions with managed care companies as required.
• Exhibit cultural competence by providing culturally appropriate assessments and disposition planning.
• Serve as a patient advocate, acting in patients’ best interest and maintaining confidentiality.
• Adhere to hospital and departmental policies and state and federal regulations.
• Orient new staff and students to the role of Mental Health Evaluator.
• Participate in continuing education and complete all mandatory hospital and department trainings.
• Participate in behavioral health and hospital-based Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement programs
• Participate in staff meetings regularly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Experience:

At least two years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited graduate program.

Licenses / Certifications:

New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.

Other:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to document within an Electronic Medical Record and utilize any necessary online platforms.
• Ability to function within the fast-paced Emergency Department setting, completing evaluations and interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioral, and/or psychological crisis.

Special Requirements:

If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.