Director of Assessment

Director ensures a comprehensive assessment and quality therapeutic care to patients seeking treatment of substance abuse, dual diagnosis or psychiatric or emotional disorders. Oversees the assessment of the needs of walk-in and phone callers and completes initial psychiatric assessment on patients seeking treatment. Assists with answering inquiry calls regarding treatment and the facility, presents treatment options, documents calls and sets appointments for callers seeking treatment. Creates, revises, and implements the schedule of the assessment and referral office. Assesses the needs of walk-in and phone callers to ensure their referral to the service or resource to best address those needs. Completes initial psychiatric assessment and presents symptoms to psychiatrist for best recommendation of care. Interprets treatment to patient and family to help reduce fear and other attitudes obstructing acceptance of care and continuation of treatment. Refers and triages patients to other sources of treatment when appropriate. Assesses, coaches and develops team skills in assessment, patient and family interaction and overall therapeutic care. Acts as part of overall Hospital leadership team. May supervise reception. Assists the Assessment Director with reports and tasks.

Essential Funtions:

• Directs and performs the screening of potential patients for admission into the program and initiates the integrated assessment process.
• As a clinician, assists administration, physicians, and clinical staff in the assessment of pending admits to determine appropriateness of level of care and communicates pending admissions to the nursing department.
• Uses the approved admission criteria and make recommendations concerning the level of care for treatment using the least restrictive level appropriate. The plan for episode of care is initiated at admission to all levels of care.
• Functions as a liaison between physicians and families, coordinates with transportation services, and other mental health facilities to organize the admission procedures.
• Ensures that all vital patient assessment information is referred accurately to the attending physicians, and that patient historical information obtained is complete to facilitate an accurate determination for the appropriate level of care.
• Communicate with external reviewers and referral sources and conduct all required external reviews and maintain documentations of all such interaction while following HIPAA guidelines.
• Ensure that third-party payors are notified of, or participate in, decisions about appropriate transitions between levels of care.
• Prepares morning meeting reports to communicate pertinent census information, referral sources, and pending admissions.
• Consistently provides services to current referral sources to assure their satisfaction and continued associations.
• Assesses, coaches and develops teams’ skills, holds team accountable to high standards.
• Knowledgeable in all CMS, JCAHO, EMTLA, and State regulations and standards of performance. Regularly audits function to ensure compliance.
• Assists the Assessment Director with reports and tasks.
  
  

Education: Master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field required or licensed degree per state of practice guideline. RN licensure may be used per state of practice guidelines.

Experience: Previous management experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working in assessment for chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients. Must have strong clinical assessment skills.

License: Current unencumbered clinical social work, counselor or RN license or per state requirements. Valid driver’s license and a favorable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), along with proof of insurance when using own auto.

Additional Requirements: CPR certification and Crisis Prevention Training (CPI) within 30 days.