Intake & Assessment Coordinator – RN or LCSW/LPC

JOB TITLE:             Intake & Assessment Coordinator – RN or LCSW/LPC

POSITION SUMMARY:  Assesses potential patients for admission to WBI based on established admission criteria on a scheduled basis under the supervision of the Director of Intake as follows:

• Communicates effectively with patients, families, health care team members and community providers regarding status and disposition.
• Interact and communicate with families, potential patients, community agencies and others in assessment of and service to patients in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to try different approaches and responds well to new situations.

• Meets daily with Director of Case Management to discuss scheduled assessments.
• Conducts assessments utilizing the approved assessment forms and methodologies.
• Follows established criteria for admission or referral to other sources.
• Review of assessments of possible inpatient admissions with physician for approval prior to admission.
• Answers inquiry telephone calls scheduling appointments as established in policy and procedures.
• Makes appropriate referrals and documents all calls completely.
• Helps with follow up phone calls and quality assurance activities as necessary.
• Assists physicians with emergency evaluations.
• Arrange for coverage with supervisor when out of the office for day/week etc.
• Understands and supports the concept of Complete Quality Improvement as it relates to patient care.
• Answers telephone promptly and documents identifying information from individuals seeking assistance, admission, or information regarding Wyoming Behavioral Institute.
• Completes inquiry form and routes to the appropriate team member. 
• Makes every effort to have callers schedule immediate face-to-face interview.
• Facilitates admission process.
• Familiar with all admit paperwork and requirements for admission.  Follows process.
• Able to discuss all levels of care offered by Wyoming Behavioral Institute, including content of programs, approximately LOS by program, approximately cost of programs, etc.
• Works effectively with physicians, Physician's Assistant, FPNP regarding admission and in discussing admission concerns/presenting information.

• Efficiency Orientation (sets realistic goals, attention to waste, and redundancy).
• Other job duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

• Provide liaison and referral services to community agencies.
• Must effectively communicate with outside entities such as Wyoming Medical Center and the Natrona County attorney through the process of using a 381 with incoming patients
• Conduct thorough assessments and document clinical presentation and disposition effectively.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with professional ethics according to professional, legal and facility standards.
• Maintain accurate and complete activity log.

• Effectively employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, and problem solving and crisis intervention when performing assessments.

• Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED:                                           

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older. 
• Must be a registered nurse or LCSW/LPC & be licensed in the state of Wyoming
• Must be in good mental health and physical condition and willing to work with psychiatric patients. 
• Must have understanding of managed care criteria, hospital admission criteria and understanding of psychiatric as well as chemical dependency illness. 

• Must have knowledge of normal growth and development for the clinical population assigned to work with. (Child, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric)

• Must have knowledge of the impact of Chemical/Alcohol Dependency on growth and development in populations assigned to work with. (Child, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric)
• Must be able to stand, sit or walk up to six (6) hours, sit for up to two (2) hours. 
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to discern a variety of odors continuously. 
• Must have the ability to handle hazardous/infectious waste on a rare basis. 
• Must be able to lift patients who weigh up to one hundred (100) pounds.

PERSONAL TRAITS, QUALITIES & APPTITUDES: 

• Demonstrates personal traits/behavior consistent with the values of Wyoming Behavioral Institute. 
• Must be self-directed/self-motivated; must have good communication and interpersonal skills; must be flexible. 
• Must be able to: 
• perform a variety of duties often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure;
• work independently;
• recognize the rights and responsibilities of patient confidentiality;
• relate to others in a manner which creates a sense of teamwork and cooperation;
• communicate effectively with people from every socioeconomic, cultural and educational background;
• exhibit flexibility and cope effectively in an ever-changing, fast-paced healthcare environment;
• demonstrate the quality work ethic of doing the right thing the right way
• Maintain customer-centered focus.
• Work well with people and handled unscheduled interruption

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Job will be performed on the grounds of Wyoming Behavioral Institute Hospital, Wyoming Medical Center and other agencies within Natrona County, as requested to complete on-site assessment services.  Noise level is frequently high, chemicals are frequently used for cleaning, mechanical and electrical hazards may be present occasionally, and dust, mist and steam are generated in frequent housekeeping tasks in working environment.  Work takes place in support service area, inpatient units, outside grounds, and other areas of the hospital.  Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable disease and risk of physical injury associated with a patient population with the potential to lose control.  Crisis control interventions/behavioral management techniques may require physically restraining and transporting patients.  Hours may be irregular, duties variable.