Prn Assessment Specialist - Behavorial Health (Nights

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Documents all incoming calls regardless of the outcome, in the approved format.
• Works collaboratively with the team to assure accurate data management.
• Coordinates communication related to all assessment and admission activities, ensures rapid throughput for the hospital, requests additional resources when needed, and works with the medical staff to move patients to disposition quickly.
• Responds to all calls for behavioral health services appropriately and identifies the needs of the caller and patient. Patient calls will be prioritized based on the level of need of the patient. Assessment Specialist will coordinate activities with the Intake Manager to ensure accurate record keeping and efficient patient flow.
• For patients who are discharged, the Assessment Specialist provides at least 3 appropriate in-network referrals and develops a discharge safety plan with the patient using the approved discharge safety form.
• Responds to calls for assessments within 15 minutes and initiates the requested assessment as soon as possible and no later than 60 minutes from the initial request. Implements a backup procedure when the 60 minute time frame cannot be met due to heavy volume.
• Works with the entire Intake team for placement per identified procedures for admission.
• Ensures EMTALA compliance at all times and reports any concerns to the Intake Manager immediately.

EXPECTATIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Models and trains other team members on managing and tracking inquiry calls.
• Provides resources and support for patients before, during, and after treatment.
• Provides input, suggestions, and support appropriately.
• Provides ongoing education to patients and families as needed.
• Interacts and communicates with others in a way that promotes a positive and cooperative work environment.
• Channels concerns appropriately, using the appropriate chain of command.
• Participates as an active member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates good judgment in handling situations not covered by verbal or written instructions.
• Follows established policy and procedures in performing job functions.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of work practices.
• Completes Chart Reviews in a timely manner- 15 minutes or less on average.
• Coordinates and participates with appropriate interested parties and physicians throughout the patient referral inquiry, admission, treatment, and discharge process.
• Works collaboratively with hospital departments to assist in managing behavioral health assessment needs.
• Ensures patient rights and confidentiality.
• Demonstrates ability to set priorities.
• Able to assess and reassess needs of patients.
• Completes assessments, including assessment documentation in a timely manner – 60 minutes or less on average.
• Tracks and reports on all key indicators related to calls, assessment, and admissions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
A. Core Competencies:
1. Service: Strives to meet expectations/needs of customers; responds to concerns with sense of urgency; seeks win-win solutions for unreasonable patient/customer expectations
2. Quality/Ethics/Integrity: Seeks opportunities for improvement; prevents small problems from becoming large ones; pays attention to detail; follows instructions and protocol/procedures; adheres to company code of conduct; maintains integrity in all aspects of his/her work
3. Relationships: Builds effective working relationships; finds and provides information to clarify situations; expands on original ideas; contributes own ideas; places high priority on other team members’ goals; gains team agreement to support ideas; clearly explains rationale behind ideas/goals; demonstrates sensitivity to differing cultural views and needs; meets attendance and punctuality requirements
4. Adaptability: Seeks to understand changes in work tasks/processes; actively seeks information about new tasks/processes; treats change and new tasks/processes as opportunities for learning and personal growth; speaks positively about changes to others; quickly modifies behavior to deal effectively with change
B. Job Specific: As defined in department specific competencies
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Possess good verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess a thorough knowledge of current behavioral health concepts, principles and methods of treatment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with an ability to adapt to and learn new computer software.
• Understand and be able to train on all the state and federal standards regarding behavioral health assessment, petition, medical screening and patient rights.
• Able to type, at minimum, 40 WPM.
• Possess good organization skills and be able to act on multiple tasks.
• Able to follow established policy and procedures when performing job functions.

POPULATION SERVED:
Assesses adults and children/adolescents in the Emergency Department, on medical floors, by appointment through the lobby, and/or outside referrals. Handles the placement of patients in BHUs within Georgia.
COMPETENCIES:
The competencies identified for this position are summarized and reviewed periodically throughout employment. The required behaviors and measurement associated with core, job specific, age specific, and management (if applicable) competencies and are maintained in the department education file.
Age Specific:
Pediatric - 31 days – 12 yrs
Adolescent - 13 yrs – 17 yrs
Adult - 18 yrs – 69 yr
Geriatric - 70 yrs and up

At Piedmont Healthcare we embrace diverse ideas, perspectives, and skills to create a collaborative workplace where the best talent wants to succeed. We celebrate differences and recognize that they allow us to care for our community.

Piedmont is a certified Great Place to Work™- a national designation based on employee feedback about trust, workplace culture and experience. In 2019, Forbes named Piedmont one of Georgia’s 10 best employers and the highest-ranked healthcare provider.