Psychiatric Admissions Specialist - Temporary

State of Vermont; Berlin (VT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

The State of Vermont is seeking a Psychiatric Admissions Specialist - Temporary in Berlin, VT. This part-time role involves processing admissions, data entry, and coordination with the mental health team within VPCH Admissions.

The position supports emergency and routine admissions, with varied shifts and 24-hour coverage as needed. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma with healthcare experience or an associate degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 1 year healthcare experience or related work.
• Two years of college coursework or an associate degree in nursing, psychology, social work, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients on arrival to assess awareness of status and rights.
• Enter patient information into automated systems and correct errors.
• Produce reports and notify relevant parties for discharge or elopement cases.
• Provide reception coverage after hours and support for Medical Records.
• Coordinate patient transport requests and ensure scheduling of needs.
• Serve as primary contact for emergencies and liaise with responders.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent + 1 year healthcare experience

Two years of college coursework or an associate's degree in nursing, psychology, social work, or related field

Job description

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Title: Psychiatric Admissions Specialist - Temporary

Application Deadline Date: 09/13/2026

Department: Mental Health

Location: Berlin, VT, US

Position Type: Temporary

Schedule Type: Part-Time

Minimum Salary: $28.05

Maximum Salary: N/A

Overview

VPCH ADMISSIONS
Interviews patients upon arrival to assess awareness of their status and to explain their rights. Distributes all required patient information to other hospital personnel. Enters patient information into automated systems and corrects errors and discrepancies. Produces reports as required. Notifies relevant parties in cases of discharge or elopement. Safeguards patient valuables and tracks additions and removals. Updates the electronic Bed Board in real time.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
Provides Reception coverage after normal business hours and during staff shortages. Provides back up coverage and support for Medical Records by obtaining copies of records for new admissions and copying records as needed. Fields call for electronic medical record issues.

EMERGENCY EXAM / WARRANT FOR EXAM / VOLUNTARY PATIENTS / COURT ORDERS
Receives referrals for admission of involuntary mental health patients statewide. Ensures all available community resources have been exhausted, proposed admissions meet hospital criteria, correct procedures have been followed, and that referral has been approved by an authorized applicant. Provides technical assistance and data reporting to the care management team to facilitate information flow and transfer of patients under the care and custody of the Commissioner of Mental Health. Detail oriented collection of data and basic analytic reports associated with referrals, hospitalization admission and disposition criteria, legal status, involuntary medication, and emergency procedures for all persons in the care management system. Sends daily morning updates to all members of the care management system.

TRANSPORTATION / SUPERVISION REQUESTS
Receives requests for patient Transport/Supervision from Designated Hospitals (DH), Care Managers, or QMHPs from one location (DH, Court, Home) to another location (DH, DOC). Faxes request, follow through to ensure delivery of request, and scheduling of requests. Notifies requesting agency of status of request.

EMERGENCIES
Primary point of contact for all emergencies at VPCH. Monitors emergency line and responds accordingly to medical / psychiatric emergencies. Liaison with emergency responders. Monitors all communications and elevates, as necessary. Monitors paging system and pages staff as necessary for emergency situation.

Who May Apply

This position, Psychiatric Admissions Specialist - Temporary (Job Requisition #55650), is open to all State employees and external applicants. This is a temporary position. Temporary work is typically for variable hours, and is not expected to be full-time. The State does not guarantee 40 hours of work per week.

Candidates, including current State employees seeking transfer, promotion, demotion, or persons exercising re-employment rights, must pass a fingerprint supported background investigation applicable to the position. Additionally, in accordance with AHS Policy 4.02 - Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates. Hiring managers will notify applicants who are in the final stage of the interview process of the finger-printing and background check requirement, to which an applicant must agree to be deemed eligible for this position. Applicants will have the right to withdraw their applications before finger-printing and/or a background investigation is conducted.

Duties are performed in an office setting, but with constant interrupstions from telephone calls, visitors, and staff requiring assistance. Incumbents may be assigned to different shifts as required to provide 24-hour coverage and may be the sole representative of the Hospital readily available to the public. Extensive interation with patients and with their family members in emotional situations may entail some danger and significant discomfort.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of work experience in a healthcare setting, healthcare administration, direct service to individuals with mental illness, care coordination, healthcare transportation management, or utilization review.

OR

Two (2) years of full-time college coursework or an associate's degree in nursing, psychology, social work, or a field closely related to mental health or healthcare.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.