Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Health Services

As part of a psychiatric treatment team, provides adult psychiatric intake, individual and group therapy services as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor experienced in the provision of individual and group psychotherapeutic and substance misuse services.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Medical Director and Practice Director, and within established policies and procedures, the incumbent performs the following functions:

Essential Functions :

1. Patient Care Facilitation

a. Performs psycho-social assessments/social histories on all new admissions within established time frames, with attention to age specific needs for the Outpatient Medication Service patients seeking psychotherapy services.

b. Establishes written treatment and discharge plans in collaboration with the patient, family, treatment team and, as appropriate, insurance providers.

c. Plans and conducts individual and group therapy sessions.

d. Monitors patient's progress to ensure care is appropriate and timely.

e. Advocates for the patient to ensure quality outcomes.

f. Provides supportive counseling and crisis intervention for patient/family as needed to engage the family in a timely process.

g. Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of prescribed plans of patient care.

h. Identifies high risk populations.

i. Works proactively with Department Coordinators to ensure daily schedule is at capacity.

j. Respects the dignity and confidentiality of the patient and all verbal/written information/communication.

2. Utilization Management/Managed Care

a. Reviews patient intake information within 24 hours and determines appropriateness of level of care.

b. Assesses patient's clinical course in collaboration with the treatment team and revises plan as indicated.

c. Provides third party payors with concurrent review information as needed to comply with payors' requirements for documentation of medical necessity and negotiates resolution of any disagreement over the need for services.

d. Explores strategies to reduce length of stay and resource consumption with optimal patient outcomes.

e. Promotes optimal reimbursement, e.g., interface with finance, coding, participates in appeals on denials, etc.

f. Addresses financial concerns which may impact optimal patient care. Provides clinical information to third party payors to provide evidence of medical necessity.

g. Interprets federal and state regulations pertaining to coverage issues and provides education to patient and family. Issues non-coverage notices in compliance with HCFA and state guidelines.

3. Quality Management

a. Conducts assigned quality management activities to improve patient care and service.

b. Participates as part of the interdisciplinary team in the development or revision of departmental policies/procedures pertaining to patient care processes.

c. Assists in the identification of organizational priorities for improvement.

d. Identifies and collects clinical data in support of quality, risk management, utilization, infection control and resource utilization, etc.

e. Presents aggregated clinical quality data to appropriate members of the team in a timely manner.

f. Participates in multidisciplinary meetings to review activities/outcomes/issues related to patient care.

g. Facilitates/participates in the multidisciplinary treatment team meeting to review/consult on relevant treatment issues.

h. Serves as a resource for process improvement tools and technique.

i. Monitors patient's status to identify appropriate level of care to ensure a timely, appropriate discharge.

4. Discharge Planning

a. Performs chart review for patients as indicated for early identification of discharge planning needs and facilitates planning in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, patient and family.

b. Assesses patient/family adaptation to illness/treatment and capacity to provide for patient's care needs for discharge planning via biopsychosocial assessment.

c. Closely monitors provider panel to ensure patients are appropriately scheduled. Coordinates outreach letter to patient who no show / late cancel appointments and facilitates the closing of patients according to department procedure.

d. Facilitates and coordinates discharge planning with community agencies in order to facilitate a timely and appropriate discharge.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education :

• Master's Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited program required.
• LICSW/LCMHC required, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor preferred
• Minimum of three years' experience in outpatient Behavioral Health preferred.

Licensure/Certification :

• LICSW required. (Licensed Individual Clinical Social Worker) or
• LCMHC required (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor)

LADAC preferred (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor)