Access to Care Clinician

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The ATC Clinician is responsible for the initial clinical assessment for patients entering services with Lakes Region Mental Health Center (LRMHC).  This may include the intake assessment for all clinical programs, transfers from Child & Family, transfers from other Community Mental Health Centers, and psychiatric hospital discharges to LRMHC.  The ATC Clinician ensures continuity of care through effective discharge planning and care coordination of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals from LRMHC and all patients being discharged from psychiatric hospital to the Region 3 catchment area and LRMHC services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES & TASKS:

Under the direction of the NTSA Coordinator, and within the center’s program policies and procedures, the Access to Care Clinician performs the following functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides clinical intake assessments for services, including but not limited to: intakes for all for new patients entering services for clinical programs, Hospital Discharges, Mobile Crisis referrals, patients transferring from Child and Family, and patients transferring from other Community Mental Health centers.
2. Conducts suicidality assessments for safety/violence potential, and identifies psychosis, depression, and other symptoms, and provide crisis response/resolution to clients, family, and community for patients as needed.
3. Develops and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with a diverse caseload of patients, develops and implements individual service plans for each patient, conducts assessments as needed, and completes all required paperwork.
4. Coordinates hospital discharge planning of patients to include collaboration with hospitals and obtaining necessary discharge documentation.
5. Consults with the Chief Medical Officer to discuss Conditional Discharges when necessary.
6. Participates actively in supervision, team meetings, patient centered conferences and makes contributions and applies what is learned effectively.
7. Completes all required documentation in a timely fashion and in compliance with agency expectations.
8. Maintains necessary credentials to perform job duties.
9. Is comfortable with technology and reporting systems.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.
11. Attendance is an essential function of this position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

The individual must possess the knowledge, skills and ability noted below or be able to explain and demonstrate how the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities.  Must also possess the necessary physical capacities, with or without the aid of mechanical devices or other forms of accommodation, to safely perform the primary functions of the job.

1. Working knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning, medications, counseling and crisis intervention techniques.
2. Maintains a working knowledge of the patients’ insurance and/or benefits and utilizes this information to the best advantage for the patients.
3. Must be able to establish a rapport with the patients.  Must treat all patients with dignity and respect.
4. Ability to organize work-load so that clinical and administrative duties are completed in a timely and thorough manner as noted by supervisor and others, without prompting from the supervisor.
5. Understands the LRMHC mission and applies this knowledge productively to shape internal policies and external contacts.
6. Must be able to develop strong working relationships with external services.
7. Must have basic computer skills, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
8. Must be able to tolerate periods of heavy workload, to include long working hours and the balancing of conflicting demands
9. Attendance is a requirement of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field as specified in He-M426-11 and He-M426-13.

Experience:  1 to 3 years’ experience in mental health, crisis intervention or medical setting or related position, offering direct mental health services, including internships.

License/Certifications:  License eligible in the state of NH preferred.  Valid driver’s license.  Able to pass LRMHC criminal records and motor vehicles screening.  Must maintain personal auto insurance at level commensurate with agency requirements.