Behavioral Health Specialist PRN

Job Summary:

Medstar Health is looking for a Behavioral Health Specialist to join our team at our inpatient units in our Baltimore area hospitals! We are looking for a licensed social worker or professional counselor able to provide therapeutic interventions, assessment, evaluation, and disposition, and the well-established ability to make independent clinical decisions.

The Behavioral Health Spec will provide assessment, evaluation, and disposition services for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with psychiatric concerns or illness. Processes admissions to inpatient psychiatric units.

Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses". Apply today and learn how MedStar Health can be your next great career move!

Primary Duties:

• Completes documentation relevant to activities. Complies with and ensures adherence to documentation standards. Complies with data collection, entry, and reporting requirements. Coordinates admission to programs and services within Behavioral Health Services and associated programs. Provides and coordinates referrals to internal or external resources as appropriate. Ensures accurate documentation to clinically substantiate the recommended level of care. Coordinates insurance authorization for higher levels of care. Ensures accuracy of legal paperwork.

• Works directly and effectively with the inpatient units at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Harbor Hospital, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital to coordinate admissions. Effectively communicates with other area hospitals and outpatient resources to effectively coordinate recommended level of care.

• Serves as liaison between MedStar Franklin Square, MedStar Harbor, MedStar Good Samaritan, and MedStar Union Memorial Inpatient Psychiatric Units and outside agencies and referral sources to coordinate/facilitate admissions to the inpatient units. Process referral information for review by inpatient unit/providers. Communicates effectively with referral sources, inpatient unit staff and admissions department to coordinate transfer/admission. Serves as liaison to referral sources, outside agencies, third-party payors, and other interested parties as appropriate and within limits of confidentiality.

• Participates in the management of aggressive patients as needed to ensure the safety of patient, self, and others. Recognizes early warning signs of escalating behaviors and intervenes as appropriate. Provides clinical assessment, evaluation, and disposition of persons presenting with behavioral health concerns or illness. Effectively assess, engage, and disposition patients with a wide variety of diagnoses and needs. Provides education to patients and families about inpatient and outpatient processes and resources. Collects information from family/other involved parties/referral sources regarding current presentation and past clinical history to integrate into an appropriate recommendation for necessary level of care.

• Communicates effectively with treating physicians, nurses, and community-based resources to ensure appropriate care. Provides timely and comprehensive documentation and ongoing assessments while patients are in the Emergency Department. Provides support to Emergency Department staff for behavioral health issues. Provides comprehensive crisis assessments.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, Social Work, or related field.

• Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C), or Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or Ph.D.

• 1-2 years' experience in the assessment and disposition of behavioral health disorders preferred.