Behavioral Health Coordinator (Per Diem)

Responds in a timely fashion to minimize the duration of a patient’s time in the Emergency Department (“ED”) or on the medical units; contributing to efforts to reduce overcrowding and boarding.

Takes a behavioral health history, including past inpatient admissions or admissions to other levels of behavioral health care.

Collects information from the patient, family, or providers regarding current functioning at home, school, community, as well as educational, social familial, legal/court related and environmental factors that may have contributed to the current crisis.

• Identifies current Providers and State agency involvement.
• Identifies Health-related social needs (HRSN) including housing insecurity, food insecurity, access to transportation, need for health insurance, difficulty paying for prescriptions, education and literacy.
• Provide support to the patient, by providing updates on the process as it progresses.

Once disposition is determined by the Psychiatric Provider, in compliance with the medical necessity criteria, presents all relevant assessment information to the Payer, and obtains authorization for services.

Works closely with the Behavioral Health admissions team regarding inpatient and partial hospital admissions, authorizations, and coordination of services.

Conducts a bed search to arrange admission for patients assessed to meet medical necessity criteria to an inpatient psychiatric facility and less restrictive levels of care.

Arranges admission or readmission to the same facility when there is a bed available within that facility.

Continues bed search on an ongoing basis until disposition. During this process, keeps the patient or accompanying parent or guardian updated.

Coordinates transfer and admission to an appropriate facility, which includes obtaining the accepting physician’s name, time of arrival requested, and faxing of information if required.

Responsible for arranging transportation, inclusive of ambulances.

Updates any existing crisis prevention plan or safety plan or creates a new plan utilizing the Crisis Planning Tool.

Collaborates with other involved service Providers and/or newly referred Providers to share information (with appropriate consent) regarding the Psychiatric Providers treatment plan.

For patients discharged home, supports linkage with the patient’s natural support system, and arranges services based on the assessment completed by the Psychiatric Provider.

Identifies strategies to reduce unnecessary hospitalization and utilization of the ED by connecting the patient to alternative community-based services.

Provide the patient with resources and referrals for additional services and supports, such as recovery-oriented and consumer-operated resources in the community.

• Answers incoming calls to the Psychiatric Provider.
• Provides psycho-education including information about recovery, wellness, and crisis self-management.
• Responsible for completion of all encounter documentation required for the position.
• Maintains a comprehensive community resource list.
• Perform other work-related duties as requested/directed.
• Active participant in the annual process improvement plan.
• Consistently provides service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and co-workers.

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of human services required. Master’s preferred
• 1-3 years’ experience working with programs treating mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders preferred
• Experience using electronic health record documentation system/s to document program notes preferred
• Working knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and internet search engines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Crisis Prevention Intervention Training within 1 month of hire
• Current BLS certification