Behavioral Health Coordinator LCSW

JOB SUMMARY: In accordance with our mission and core values and under the supervision of Manager-Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health Therapist Coordinator will review the workload assignments of the Behavioral Therapists and Discharge Specialists. The coordinator will utilize advanced practitioner skills to intervene in complex patient care situations. The coordinator will assess, evaluate and train therapists and discharge specialists to achieve a consistently high quality of excellence in Behavioral Health. The coordinator will act as a resource for physicians, nurses and other departments in the hospital when intervention is required. The coordinator will have input into program planning program evaluation. The coordinator will also participate in the interviewing process for therapists and provide feedback for the evaluation process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works with Behavioral Therapists on a daily basis to insure optimum productivity and quality of care.
• Facilitates staff completing assignments within the designated time limits.
• Utilizes staffing in the responsible manner both fiscally and clinically.
• Participates with the manager in the interviewing, hiring, and orientating of new therapists, as well as probationary and annual performance evaluation.

• Assists in the development of policies and procedures, and training in any new local, state or national standards, policies or laws.
• Serves as a resource for all customers in regard to standards and best practices within own area of expertise.
• Helps project capital needs for operational and capital budgets.
• Works with behavioral health manager marketing program and services through community outreach.
• Serves as the indigent liaison to all community mental health centers throughout the state, ensuring that appropriate information is disseminated to secure authorization for payment. Troubleshoots potential problems with community mental health centers concerning these clients during admission and prior to discharge.

• Maintains an understanding of the department's processes and effectively communicates information to the staff.
• Serves as mental health court liaison. Attends court as needed for our patients. Serves as an expert resource for facilities throughout state when filing proper documentation for various involuntary admission procedures.
• Maintain the indigent day spread sheet.
• Update the Behavioral Health Census.
• Effectively works with staff to enhance professional development and job satisfaction.

• Maintains current professional requirements according to department and Health System standards, by completing hospital mandatories and department competencies in timely manner.
• Actively participates in individual and group educational training activities.
• Assists in writing or revising procedures to keep manuals current and meaningful for staff use.
• Assists in setting standards for performance in Behavioral Health Adult Care.
• Assumes preceptor role in orientation of new employees and students
• Pilots and implements new programs to improve patient care as approved
• Serves as a resource to Emergency Department when behavioral health patients present for psychiatric care.
• Coordinates the intern program. Assuring that they are properly assigned and supervised after approved by nurse manager.
• Attends career and education fairs at various schools and facilities representing St. Vincent Behavioral Health.
• Takes responsibility for helping to staff department during busy times or absence of therapists by covering caseloads and doing extra therapy groups as needed.
• Adapts to change in a positive, professional manner to meet the demands of the changing Health System environment.
• Manages a maximum caseload of 2-3 patients.
• Rotates Behavioral Health call with other therapists
• Helps assure staff competency by providing classes, in-services, and one-on-one instruction as needed.
• Able to communicate the goals and values of the hospital to the staff in an effective manner.
• Assists in staff meetings to discuss new processes and the barriers encountered in implementing them.
• Promotes professionalism of Behavioral Health Department and Behavioral Therapists.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Masters prepared social worker with Licensed Counselor in Social Work (LCSW) required.

Experience: Prefer three years experience as LCSW.

Physical Requirements: The physical activities involve balancing, climbing, crouching, grasping, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, standing, stooping and use of fingers and repetitive movements. An individual in this position may be required to carry or lift weight of up to 50 lbs. and push/pull 100-150 lbs. The sensory and communicative activities required for the position include feeling, hearing, seeing, smelling and speaking. Individuals in this position could possibly be exposed to inside/outside environmental conditions, most probably blood borne pathogens and body fluids, chemical hazards, respiratory hazards and radiology hazards.

Skills: Excellent communication skills both written and oral concerning adults at all levels of education and social status. Must be able to remain calm but to think quickly and critically in emergency situations and respond appropriately. Must be current in BLS and CPI.