Behavioral Health Family Support Clinician, LCSW- Per Diem

This position is accountable for identifying the psychosocial and psychiatric needs of patients and families through clinical assessment, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case consultation with the health care team and collaboration with other professionals in the community.  This position supports the medical and behavioral health teams in the hospital. Patients assessed in the Emergency Department behavioral health area are evaluated to determine psychiatric or substance abuse care needs.   This clinician assures access, provides assessment and/or direct care, coordinates resources and partners with receiving programs and clinicians.  By utilizing excellent communication and negotiation skills, this clinician focuses on providing the appropriate service in the most cost-effective formula to assure that the patient, provider, payor and health care organization’s goals are met. Reports to the Manager of Child & Family Support Services.

• Assesses and plans patient care by conducting timely psychosocial and psychiatric assessments and evaluations of patients and families which include social, psychological, cultural and financial information. Identifies, interprets and documents problems and strengths utilizing scientific knowledge base and appropriate psychological/social/cultural concepts; organizing and prioritizing care and interventions; and obtaining and stewarding appropriate resources in order to meet individual and family goals.


• Develops therapeutic plan based on psychosocial and psychiatric assessment.  Provides advocacy, referral and discharge planning to meet patient/family needs. Facilitates treatment process by referring patient/family members to appropriate level of care, support group and other resources as well as by providing direct crisis intervention.


• Coordinates and implements patient/family care by collaborating with the multidisciplinary team, other payors and partnering with patients/families; establishing a multidisciplinary plan to address identified issues and goals; documenting and communicating in a timely manner; and educating patient/family in order to meet established goals and ensure seamless, coordinated transitions across levels of care. 
  
  Assesses patients’ medical insurance(s) or other resources and initiates appropriate utilization review processes in placement decisions in order to preserve patients’ financial resources and ensure appropriate hospital payment.  Negotiates level of care and length of stay with third party payors by providing them with clear and accurate information as to level of care recommendations and ability of program to provide adequate care for patient.


• Assures intake evaluation and referral process for prospective patients and families is appropriate by interfacing with medical providers, community resources, public agencies and private clinicians to network in order to facilitate appropriate continuity of patient care and for maintenance of ongoing contracts and relationships.


• Works effectively as a team member both within and across clinical setting to provide an integrated delivery of health care services though communication, cooperation and collaboration. Evaluate progress towards accomplishing desired patient care outcomes and address termination and transitional process with patients and families.  


• Participates in performance improvement opportunities, research, cost-effective utilization of resources, and coordinating activities such as meetings to improve patient care.


• Assumes responsibility for self-improvement by identifying, communicating and seeking resources to meet own learning needs.


• May provide medical on-call services as part of an on-call team.


• Demonstrate support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors that are 
  
  consistent with Connecticut Children’s Standards.


• Demonstrates knowledge of the age-related differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice.  Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.


• Values cultural diversity and other individual differences in the workforce.
  
  Performs other related responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May supervise students in their professional internship.


• May provide supervision for LCSW licensure.
  
   

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Master's in social work required.


• Require a minimum of 2 years related experience serving the needs of children and families.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Experience in psychiatric assessment, triage and intake preferred.


• Basic knowledge and understanding of the medical conditions and health care experience of specific patient populations, preferred.

License and/or Certification Required:

• LCSW required.


• Ability to meet requirements for internal credentialing in individual and group or family therapy required.  Individual programs may require specific additional certifications.


• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training certification highly recommended within one year of hire and maintained thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:


Knowledge of:

• Family centered care principles and practices preferred. 


• Individual, group and/or family therapy modalities.


• Twelve step and self-help programs.


• Addiction and recovery process.


• Child protection issues.


• Age related differences and needs of patients in specific populations from neonate through young adult.


• Legal and ethical issues related to patient rights.

Skills:

• Strong group counseling and individual assessment skills. 


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.


• Strong time management skills.


• Strong self-care skills to cope with the stressors of this high intensity and unpredictable work environment.
  
   

ABILITY TO:

• Prioritize and demonstrate flexibility. 


• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients and families.


• Demonstrate basic proficiency in utilization of personal computers and job-related applications.


• Demonstrate basic proficiency in medical terminology.