Entry Level Psychiatric Admissions Representative

The Psychiatric Admissions Representative is an entry-level position that helps facilitate the admission process for pediatric and adult patient populations needing inpatient psychiatric services for both internal admissions to MCV and external admissions from any VCU affiliated hospital. Responsibilities include coordinating intake and referrals for internal and external admissions in accordance with the Code of Virginia and JCAHO standards and facilitating admission decisions during the screening process using established clinical criteria under the supervision of Care Coordination and Psychiatric Medical Directors.

Essential Job functions:

Makes decisions regarding the admissions of patients based on data obtained from the referral source.

Successfully utilizes physician/staff resources in the admission process regarding appropriateness of admission.

Handles insurance/managed care authorization and pre-certification functions for each admission and communicates relevant clinical information to the physicians and nursing staff prior to the admission of each patient.

Utilizes sound judgment in applying predetermined admission criteria, under clinical supervision of Intake and Medical Directors.

Uses knowledge of patient’s presenting problems, urgency of clinical need, and expertise of the various providers to make appropriate decisions.

Facilitates inpatient psych admissions & responds to all admission inquiries. Determines appropriateness for admission based on clinical information provided by the referral source. Discusses alternative treatment options within VCUHS or other community agencies if admissions criteria are not met. Collaborates with Care Management and the appropriate Medical Director whenever necessary. Serves as a liaison between internal and external referral sources for all VCU affiliated hospitals.

Assists with maintaining schedule coverage. Attends meetings as determined by the one call center leadership. Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and the department. Provides support to other team members. Participates in special projects, statistical reports, developmental planning, problem solving, as needed.

Dispenses completed hospital forms and completes account/case notes on admissions and referrals. Completes documentation of each admission referral including clinical and psychiatric history and demographic profile. Communicates all relevant information to appropriate providers and support personnel. Provides appropriate medical information to ensure smooth transition to the next level of care.

Acts as an internal liaison maintaining up-to-date bed status and patient flow for pediatric and adult inpatient psych units. Participates in psychiatric planning and strategic initiatives.

Utilizes electronic health record to view and/or enter relevant clinical, psychiatric, and administrative data.

Additional position requirements such as shift rotations, weekends, environment, etc.:

• This position works thirty-six (36) hours per week to include all shift rotations, to include some weekend & holiday hours, in the form of three (3) twelve (12) hour shifts.
• Schedules, including shift rotation requirements and hours of work, may be adjusted to meet department needs.
• Individual shift rotation and schedules are established by your department’s Nurse Manager

Patient Population:

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.

Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications:

Required Education:
High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or an allied health field (e.g. psychology, social work or human services, etc.) from an accredited program

Licensure/Certification Required: N/A

Licensure/Certification Preferred: N/A

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Previous work experience using a personal computer and various applications (Microsoft Windows, email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc.)

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: N/A

Cultural Responsiveness:
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

Previous work experience in mental or behavioral health

Previous experience using Epic, Microsoft Windows

Working Conditions:

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.

May have periods of constant interruptions

Physical Requirements:

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs)

Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards:

Physical Requirements:

Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination); Perform shift work; Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder; Finger dexterity

Mental/Sensory - Emotional:

Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast-paced environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.