Social Worker

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence.

**Summary:** The Behavioral Access Center Clinician is responsible for performing level of care assessments with patients who present to the Emergency Department needing behavioral health assistance. Works collaboratively with the Emergency Department Physician, Psychiatrists, Primary care physicians, and local community mental health centers to facilitate proper patient referral and disposition from the Emergency Department. Provides clinical assessments for the purpose of determining level-of-care needs in an efficient and timely manner. Assists patients, families and referral sources with implementation of disposition plans. Strives for the least restrictive environment within which the patient can achieve resolution of his/her problems, whether that is inpatient admission or referral to an appropriate outpatient services.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:**

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician investigates case situations, presents information to the Physician, Psychiatrist and/or other members of the health team on patient's biopsychosocial information, and provides basic education to the patient/family to help reduce fear and other attitudes obstructing acceptance of psychiatric care and continuation of treatment. He or she will serve as a liaison between patient/family and Emergency Department and Physicians.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician develops and negotiates initial treatment plans with the patient related to the Level of Care needs of patient to facilitate improvement in their mental status, and assists with bio psychosocial assessments as needed on inpatient units. He or she will perform utilization review pre-certifications from the Emergency Department as needed and places required documentation in the medical record. The Behavioral Health Access Clinician must be able to assist with Physical Restraints of patients in danger to themselves or others as per organizational policy and procedures, provide input to the interdisciplinary treatment team.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician will adhere to the standards and policies of the Corporate Responsibility Program, including the duty to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and reports to designated Manager (or employer hotline) any suspected unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful acts or policies. He or she will demonstrate ethical, sound professional practices and personal accountability and will act in alignment with the mission and core values of Catholic Health Partners.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician holds others accountable to standards of performance, displays a curiosity and desire for knowledge and staying current with colleagues, be curious about business and the health care services industry, and regularly invests time in encouraging the team to innovate, continuously improve processes and share knowledge.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information, and uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job. He or she will maintain compliance with established corporate and departmental policies and procedures, quality improvement program, customer service and productivity expectations. The Behavioral Health Access Clinician will demonstrate behaviors consistent with stated core values of Catholic Healthcare Partners and the Behavioral Health department Code of Ethics.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician participates in administrative meetings and committees (staff meetings, quality improvement, patient satisfaction, employee engagement, etc.) to exchange information that relates to program updates, identify program barriers and anticipate future program needs in accordance with appropriate accreditation standards and within facility policies. He or she will participate in the supervision of clinical interns or students and/or volunteers, utilizing orientation, observation, record reviews, feedback and evaluations as required.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician participates in the safe management of the milieu, intervening effectively with patients who behave inappropriately or who are having coping difficulty, utilizing effective non-abusive crisis prevention/intervention techniques, and will treat patients and families with empathy and respect.

The Behavioral Health Access Clinician maintains effective working relationships with team members, (requires both flexibility and setting limits), performs work in accordance with the facility standards and policies regarding risk management, safety, infection control, etc. He or she will perform job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others. The Behavioral Health Access Clinician develops annual personalized professional goals in conjunction with supervisor, and seeks and participates in learning opportunities that meet personal and departmental goals.

Other duties as assigned

**MINIMUM EDUCATION:**

4 year/Bachelors Degree (social services/counseling)

PREFERRED EDUCATION:

Masters Degree (social services/counseling)

**LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:**

Basic Life Support Certification Required. Current unencumbered license LPC, LPCC, LSW, or LISW.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**

Minimum Years and Type of Experience: Experience in working in a psychiatric setting required. Must be able to work as part of multidisciplinary team.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: De-Escalation training within 90 days of hire

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans

Prescription drug coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance w/AD&D

Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible

Paid time off

Educational Assistance

And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health - Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours - Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com . If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com