Makes initial assessments on agency clients or new unattached emergency clients seeking emergency services within a hospital setting.  Assesses clients in need, makes referrals to local and state psychiatric treatment services and agency crisis residential services depending upon appropriate level of care.  Assess and process SASS referrals and other program referrals as they arise.

Employee will adhere to the Memorial Health System (MHS) Code of Conduct, the MHS Ethics and Corporate Compliance Plan, MBH policies and procedures, as well as performance standards established by the governing board/administration and accrediting bodies.

Education:
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human service field from accredited university.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:
N/A

Experience:

N/A

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Must have valid IL Driver’s License, availability of own transportation, and proof of auto liability insurance.

1. Client Services

• Develop initial preliminary assessment data including clients presenting problems, mental status, relevant psychiatric, medical and developmental histories to make decisions regarding diagnosis (according to DSM-V) and/or to provide information and make appropriate referrals to other treatment resources in the community.
• Provide direct service intervention for emergency clients.
• Implement crisis or pre-crisis intervention procedures with potentially suicidal, homicidal, or severely disabled clients. Make appropriate referrals to consulting psychiatrists or inpatient psychiatric facilities to prevent further destabilization.
• Coordinate referrals for emergency psychiatric assessments.
• Interview collateral contacts, previous and current treatment professionals, and significant others, to further establish a database for assessment and ongoing treatment plan as needed.
• Conduct screenings and facilitates referrals from local hospitals, other agencies and/or internal programs to the state psychiatric facility (AMMHC).

2. Client Information System

• Complete required administrative forms (such as: 1009, 1006, Time Off Slips, Expense Vouchers).  Collect necessary information for billing and fee collection.
• Provide necessary client information to other agencies or health care providers to coordinate services to identified clients.

3. Training Activities/Professional Growth

• Supervisor and employee mutually identify professional goals, which will enhance job related skills.
• Participate in ongoing agency meetings, committees, and special projects to enhance professional expertise.
• Meet with supervisor to complete mandatory monthly clinical supervision as required by the IL Department of Human Services.
• Complete all mandatory education requirements by specified deadlines.
• Participate in required staff meetings and in-service meetings to keep abreast of agency policy and administrative procedures, meet requirements for continuing education, and upgrade professional knowledge.

4. Consultation/Networking

• Engage in appropriate team work functions (such as mutual support, clarification of office responsibilities and procedures) according agency policy to provide a professional working environment and effective service delivery.

5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.
• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.
• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.
• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.

6. Job Relationships

• Communicate directly with supervisor for clinical supervision, clarification of agency policy, and program evaluation to promote a professional working environment and effective service delivery system.
• In absence of immediate supervisor, access Administrator for clinical supervision.
• Adhere to MHS/MBH Behavioral Standards.

7. Other Job Responsibilities

• Respond to requests for service from the community and link to appropriate clinic program or outside agency.
• Perform other duties as required by agency needs.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.