PRN - Admissions Counselor

Overview

Ascension St. Thomas Behavioral is seeking a compassionate and skilled PRN Admissions Counelor to lead our admissions team and support individuals and families facing emotional and behavioral challenges.

Qualifications:

 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

• ​Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.   

• ​One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred. 

​LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• ​Current licensure, as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state in which the facility operates. 

• ​CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility). 

• ​First aid may be preferred based on state or facility. 

 

 

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• ​Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes. 

• ​Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families. 

• ​Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission.  Communicate benefit eligibility to the business office and the patient or significant other. 

• ​Collaborate with facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.  

• ​Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility. 

• ​Maintain knowledge of milieu management. 

• ​Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.  

• ​Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patients (including medical comorbidity information) is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.  

• ​Schedule (when applicable) and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or their family. 

• ​Possess skill in preparing and maintaining appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.  

• ​Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.  

• ​Admit the patient to the registration and accounting system.  Complete all admission and consent forms with the patient. 

• ​Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. 

• ​When a patient’s needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. 

• ​Coordinate care for patients who are not being admitted and ensure that they receive appropriate follow-up care and referrals. 

• ​Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer service. 

• ​Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15-minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or by individualized supervision guidelines as needed.  

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​OTHER FUNCTIONS:  

• ​Perform other functions and tasks as assigned. 

Qualifications

​EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

• ​Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows). 

• ​Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.   

• ​One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred. 

​LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• ​Current licensure, as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state in which the facility operates. 

• ​CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility). 

• ​First aid may be preferred based on state or facility. 

​ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREM