Description

MAIN FUNCTION:

Responsible for providing mental health services to clients, including crisis/intake assessment and intervention, making appropriate referral for acuity, providing education, discharge planning, acting as a community liaison and offering assistance to family members. Directly reports to the System Director of Continuum of Care with direct line to St. Joseph's Emergency Department Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides evaluations, assessments, crisis intervention and referral for all populations served by the department in the emergency department or as directed in other areas.

1. Utilizes appropriate resources for complex problems that results in meeting the needs of the patient and/or family.

1. Provides direction and support to the patient, family and other healthcare providers in addressing ethical and legal concerns.

1. Identifies psychosocial, environmental, and financial problems. Identifies gender based, cultural and age related issues specific to the patient situation.

1. Demonstrates the ability to document understandable, comprehensible psychiatric assessment and progress notes.

1. Is responsible for discharge planning and arranges follow-up care and referrals.

1. Functions as a liaison between the Behavioral Health services, community agencies, maintains knowledge of community resources that may be used in treatment planning/discharge planning.

1. Recognizes and identifies actual or potential situations which places the organization at risk for corporate compliance violations. Communicates compliance issues/concerns with department manager and/or follows the policy for addressing the situation.

EQUIPMENT:

Telephone, computer, copier, fax machine, general office equipment.

CONTACTS:

1. Internal:

Daily contact with patients/clients, family members and other Arnot Health personnel.

1. External:

Visitors, guests, representatives from outside organizations.

1. Is responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs as required by position.

1. Employee understands and demonstrates the A.I.D.E.T. (Acknowledge. Introduce. Duration. Explain. Thank You.) importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience with Arnot Health.
2. It is understood that this job description lists typical duties for the classification and is not considered inclusive of all duties, which may be assigned.

EDUCATION:

LMSW or Registered Nurse.

EXPERIENCE:

One year experience working in a psychiatric setting. One year or more completing psychiatric evaluations for level of care determination either in an emergency room or walk-in clinic.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) REQUIREMENTS:

No CPR required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Light physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.).

Mostly sedentary work.

Lifts supplies and equipment.

Manual dexterity and mobility.

Occasional squatting, stooping, crouching, bending, reaching, stair climbing.

Must be able to hear, see and speak.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

Variety of complex duties.

Coordination of problems/services.

Independent judgment.

Ability to work under stress.

Policy application.

Development of care plans for treatment objectives.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances.

Extensive contact with a variety of community agencies and hospital staff.

Exposure to unpleasant elements (sights, sounds and smells).

Handles emergency or crisis situations.

Requires judgment/actions which could results in death of patient.

Works in an artificially lighted area.

EXPOSURE CATEGORY:

Category II. Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. But employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks.