Psychiatric Assessment Specialist LPHA

Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI) is one of the largest behavioral health care agencies in the United States.

HRDI provides services in alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment, mental health, youth prevention, family services, community health, case management, alternative youth education, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, corrective services, and gambling prevention and education.

Our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to improve their quality of life and to influence public policy through the design and implementation of innovative, efficient, effective, and accountable behavioral health, social service, education, and economic development programs.

Our vision is to set the standard for a comprehensive global system of behavioral health care and community services that utilizes the highest degree of excellence and best practices.

HRDI is seeking Psychiatric Assessment Specialist – LPHA to conduct psychiatric assessments on clients who require crisis evaluations to determine the appropriate level of care. In accordance with policies, procedures and protocols established by HRDI standards of practice and licensing and certificate and other regulatory agencies requirements.

Job duties include:

• Ensures that 100% of the calls for the evaluation of an individual are responded to onsite within one hour/60 minutes.
• Completely document the evaluation prior to the department from the Emergency Department.
• Ensures that the assessment includes the prescribed clinical evaluation of the individual.
• Based on the determination of eligibility and clinical evaluation, determines the most appropriate and available level of care and secures authorization for same.
• Ensures firm linkage of the individual with the authorization level of care.
• Ensures documentation of the evaluation, recommendations and disposition outcome for the individual.
• Responsible for the completion of a psychological assessment, including Mental Health Exam, past and present psychiatric history, family history, substance abuse history and suicide risk assessment including ascertaining client's presentation of illness, evaluating client's functional level prior to admission and determining client’s level of risk
• Provide billable Medicaid services to all assigned clients;
• Completes Mental Health Assessments through a formal process of gathering information regarding a client's mental and physical status and presenting problems resulting in the identification of the client's mental health service needs and recommendations for service delivery;
• As a member of an interdisciplinary team develop comprehensive Treatment Plans within the required timeframes;
• Assure the participation of team members, the individual, the guardian, the family and necessary; professionals in the treatment process, unless the individual is not legally disabled and does not desire the involvement of the family or the family refuses to participate;
• As indicated and within the confines of confidentiality counsels family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients.

• This position must be a LCSW with at least two years of experience as a social worker. This psychiatric experience must include crises work in the emergency department.
• The candidate must have a solid understanding of the DSM IV TR criteria for diagnosing Mental Health / Substance Abuse patients and a solid understanding of the Illinois Mental Health Code.
  Knowledge of and proficiency in computer programs, i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe,etc;
• Knowledge of Community Mental Health, Rule 132 and the Department of Mental Health;
• Demonstrate a high degree of skill in problem solving and working effectively with people.
• Must be detail oriented and flexible.
• Must have the ability to formulate the 5 Axis diagnoses and formulate the initial treatment plan.
• Must be able to ascertain client's presentation of illness, evaluate patient's functional level prior to admission and determine the client’s level of risk.
• Master’s in Social Work, Psychology or related field.
• Requires excellent observation skills, analytical thinking, problem solving, and ability to communicate and interact with all levels of professionals, in addition to good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good critical thinking skills; ability to assess, evaluate, and teach. Flexible with a working knowledge of all areas of medicine.

Ability to adjust priorities quickly, organize multiple tasks simultaneously.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.