Summary: The Social Worker Screener provides psychiatric emergency screening in the emergency department when psychiatric evaluation is requested or required, and participates in the admission of patients. This position obtains insurance approval for inpatient behavioral health treatment, prepares necessary documentation, and maintains required related evaluation documentation. The Social Worker Screener assists psychiatrists in conducting consultations, initial screening and follow-up, provides input to the case manager and department staff, assists in discharge planning activities to schedule appropriate care, and assists department staff in related daily activities. RESPONSIBILITIES: Emergency Department- Primary Work Area
- Interviews patients to obtain demographic, health, and insurance information.
- Provides psychiatric emergency room screening, identification, and recording of status of patients.
- Acts as liaison with physicians, clinical and non-clinical staff members, psychiatrist's on-call, and Behavioral Health Department administration.
- Maintains ongoing contacts with law enforcement personnel, EMS, security, nursing staff, and patient's family.
- Refers patients to other community resources if ineligible for admission.
- Contacts third party payers to obtain insurance approval for inpatient behavioral health treatment.
- Prepares and reviews required paperwork, obtains signatures, forwards and retains as needed.
- Maintains and updates electronic medical records in a timely manner.
- Interacts with patients, patient's family, and community providers to provide or obtain information.
- Arranges for patient's post discharge care by referring to appropriate community agencies for aftercare needs.
- Collects and reviews data, and prepares monthly statistical reports on patients for presentation to the Clinical Director.
- Maintains log of encounters and incidents in the ER and on medical floors.
- Makes identification as a caregiver to patients and/or significant others or family members , and explains role of screener as necessary.
- Effectively uses automated systems to perform work assignments.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Medical Units-Floating as Needed
- Supports psychiatrists in addressing psychiatric consultation and detox on medical floors by conducting initial screening and follow-up, providing and obtaining required information and authorizations for medical, clinical and case management staff.
- Responds to behavioral emergency calls on medical floors.
- Continuous Quality Improvement Reviews collected data and provides information regarding CQI results to other staff members of the health care team.
- Identifies and resolves problems and makes recommendations for improved performance.
- Supports psychiatrists in addressing psychiatric consultation and detox on medical floors that include initial screening, follow-up and coordinates with case management to provide and record relevant data.
- Responds to emergency calls on medical floors.
- Maintains equipment and supplies.
- Obtains, cleans, returns and disposes of equipment and supplies appropriately.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Social work experience in a psychiatric setting preferred. Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid license and current registration, issued by the New York State Education Department, as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor or a limited permit in Social Work or Mental Health Counselor required.
EDUCATION: Master's degree in Medical Social Work from an accredited program.
OTHER: If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.