Intake Counselor

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts initial intake assessments for the determination of Behavioral Health patient level of care placement in collaboration with emergency departments, psychiatry, and acute care units. Collaborates with psychiatry to recommend appropriate level of care to attending physicians and community based referral sources.
• Assists with crisis intervention and intervenes in emergencies utilizing proper procedures, therapeutic counseling and de-escalation skills. Maintains patient safety by collaborating with loss prevention, hospital physicians, and caregivers. Provides collaboration with local police departments and rescue services. Contributes to the development of emergency department communication information when appropriate. Secures appropriate Releases of Information and facilitates collaboration with community agencies and providers to promote continuity of care.
• Triages requests for services by phone, in person, or through telepsychiatry. Answer incoming calls regarding admissions, referrals, community resources or general information related to clinical programming and ABHS inpatient or outpatient services. Schedules, transfers and refers patients for clinical assessment as needed or requested. Refers to resources available throughout ABHS or community-based resources.
• Verifies patient’s insurance to ensure accurate benefits and appropriate referral to providers for services. Completes pre-authorization requirements and documents authorizations received in the electronic medical record. Records name of authorizing person at the insurance company, date and time. Explains and assists the patient in understanding their insurance benefits when information is available. Collaborates with Case Management to ensure authorizations are complete and accurate.
• Documents in the electronic medical records, obtaining detailed and thorough information. Completes accurate and timely assessments of patients as reflected in documentation, with particular emphasis on patient safety and risk factors. Documentation responsibilities include assessment, crisis treatment plans, and discharge recommendations. Identifies discharge planning by documenting aftercare needs. Accurately completes all documentation responsibilities as outlined in department/service area procedures within established time lines. Communicates needs to case management / social work caregivers through phone contact, electronically and in chart documentation while adhering to department protocols/policies.
• Provides consultation/assessment services to acute care units, or other areas as assigned, providing consultation on complex patient needs and safety issues upon request. Assesses urgent care needs of patients, provide crisis counseling, individual assessments, and obtain appropriate authorizations. Acts as a liaison to referral sources, therapists, physicians, other caregivers, or the community and informs them of the services recommended to their patients.
• Assists in providing support to all the intake staff throughout the system for triage and assessment functions, through on-site, telephonic, or telepsychiatry service. Provides assistance in distributing and informing staff about changes in policies, procedures, processes and implementation of new programs, procedures and policies. Informs manager of operational issues, problems and concerns in the department and hospital settings in a timely manner.
• Assists in orientation of new staff. Responsible for maintaining intake statistics, maintenance of current community resource information and monitors service activities.
• Provides clinical therapeutic services to diverse populations. Accepts for assessment and treats all patients willingly and with professionalism.
• Documents requests for psychiatric consultation service, notifies consultants and verifies completion of consultations on appropriate forms and electronically.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Master's Degree in Social Work, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Clinical, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Educational, or
• Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in providing therapy and/or assessments in behavioral health.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Requires previous experience in the clinical assessment of psychiatric and chemical dependency disorders of all age populations.
• Demonstrates awareness in working with insurance companies and managed care review agencies.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the State of Wisconsin Mental Health, Emergency Detention and Development Disabilities Code.
• Must have excellent oral, written communication and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Will frequently be required to lift 25 lbs. without assistance, and will occasionally be required to lift 25 lbs. with assistance.
• May be exposed to the following hazards: mechanical, chemical, blood and body fluids.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders and twist.
• Ability to work with an agitated individual using proper-de-escalation techniques.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.