Intake Counselor

River Vista Behavioral Health sits along the bluffs overlooking the San Joaquin River, this brand new, 128-bed facility, will provide high-quality and advanced behavioral health services to residents and visitors in the Central Valley. The new hospital will employ more than 250 people, including clinicians, nurses, mental health technicians, support staff and administration.

River Vista Behavioral Health is currently seeking a dynamic Intake Counselor. The Intake Counselor, under the supervision of the Director of Admissions, interviews and assesses potential patients and inquiry callers. The Intake Counselor works with the Business Office regarding patient financial data, as well as with the UR Department for the certification of patients admitted. Also initiates the referral process when indicated, and communicates with referral sources.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master‘s Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field required.

Experience: 2-3 years in the area of substance abuse/psychiatric treatment programs, including experience in intake/admissions and managed care preferred.

License: Must be state certified in social work or clinical related mental health field. LCSW, LFMT, ACSW, AMFT, LPCC.

Additional Requirements: CPR certification, CPI and Verbal De-Escalation training within 30 days of employment prior to assisting in a restraining procedure. Must be able to pass a competency exam for the area upon hire. May be required to work flexible hours and overtime.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER THE JCAHO STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE. THIS POSITION WILL BE EVALUATED BASED UPON SOCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE/COMPETENCIES, AS WELL AS THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES COMPETENCIES AS LISTED BELOW.

Admissions Practices/Competencies

Performance

1. Communicate effectively with patients, families, health care team members and community providers.
2. Interact and communicate with community agencies in assessment of and service to patients.
3. Provide referral services to community agencies.
4. Maintain confidentiality in compliance with professional ethics according to professional and facility standards.
5. Identify opportunities for the program and participate in Performance Improvement projects and activities.
6. Continue professional development and maintain professional development in personnel file.
7. Assist in the orientation of new colleagues.

Milieu.

1. Meet the social work needs of the patient population being serviced.
2. Contribute to the effective functioning of the patient.
3. Report unsafe conditions to appropriate personnel.
4. Assure that patient‘s rights are upheld.

Professional Competencies

1. Demonstrate a professional attitude that supports the objectives of the facility‘s business development/marketing and guest relations philosophy through internal and external communications and interactions with all levels of staff, patients, family members, guests, community and referral sources.

Admissions/Competencies

Intervention

1. Utilize a variety of techniques to assist in the resolution of patient problems.
2. Effectively employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving and crisis intervention when performing intake assessments.
3. Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.
4. Document and report infections to the Infection Control Nurse.

Milieu

1. Utilizes universal precautions when caring for a patient.
2. Promote health communication.
3. Document Q15 checks on all patients, notify On Call doctor is modified checks are needed.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

1. Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
2. Maintain knowledge of children‘s stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
3. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior.
4. Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
6. Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
7. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
8. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

1. Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
2. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
3. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
5. Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
6. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
7. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

1. Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
2. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
3. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors and/or history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
4. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
5. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

1. Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
2. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care.
3. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
4. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients‘ functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
5. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

1. Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
2. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
3. Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating to co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
4. Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.

Additional Standards

1. Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
2. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
3. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.

1. Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
2. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

1. Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures.
2. Knowledge of strong clinical assessment skills.
3. Knowledge of therapeutic planning and techniques.
4. Strong clinical assessment skills
5. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
6. Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
7. Effective oral and written communication skills.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
9. Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
10. Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information.
11. Ability to work as a team player.
12. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
13. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.

1. Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adult and geriatric).

1. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
2. Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
3. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to lift, push, pull, twist and stoop in the delivery of patient care. May be required to lift or hold a patient without assistance.
2. Ability to be ambulatory.
3. Ability to works inside with air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.
4. Visual acuity is necessary for accuracy in reading and documenting in patient medical charts.
5. Skilled in the use of a micro cassette recorder and a hospital dictaphone system.
6. Ability to respond in a crisis to angry, sometimes disorganized, psychotic and/or verbally and physically abusive patients maintaining focus on patient and staff

Additional Requirements:

A strong knowledge of The Joint Commission, HCFA, OSHA regulations, and patient rights standards and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing mental health care facilities.

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