Crisis Intervention Therapist

 
Primary Duties: 

• Interviews, evaluates, and makes appropriate referrals for patients and families located in the AMHC Evaluation Center, the emergency department, and other medical floors throughout the hospital. Completes evaluations to include psychiatric, social and treatment histories. Completes evaluations of patients received in the Emergency Department via police, ambulance, petition, or self-referred. Formulates a diagnostic impression. Completes risk assessment. Determines patients’ and families’ expectations of services and explores with patients and families the various service options.  

• Documents the above to include recommendations and disposition in prescribed format in accordance with AMHC policies. Facilitates admission to the appropriate AMHC level of care or referral elsewhere when admission to MGH is not appropriate. Contacts physicians, health agencies, police and social services, State and County hospitals and others for information exchange and disposition planning. Informs the medical department staff and physician of the patients’ behaviors and the need for close observation, restraints, medication, and disposition recommendations. Provides utilization review for AMHC services. Coordinates with community agencies and other professionals involved in patient care. Contact payors to provide clinical information for treatment authorization. Keeps accurate records accessible via AMHC common database. 

• Acts as a departmental and hospital resource through informal leadership and technical expertise. Coaches and/or mentors' other employees. Identifies with and encourages team concepts. Serves as integral member of the interdisciplinary team, demonstrating an ability to effectively communicate and interact within the team. Participates in the orientation of new staff members.  

• Maintains current knowledge, certification, and licensure. Identifies learning needs in self and initiates actions to address these education needs. Attends continuing education programs to maintain certification. Attends hospital sponsored training programs as required by the department.  

• Works effectively within and between departments. Participates on inter-departmental teams and committees, communicating unit knowledge as appropriate Provides department/unit with information and knowledge acquired during participation with interdepartmental teams and committees. Demonstrates a constructive approach during all interactions with staff, supervisors, and managers both inside and outside the unit. Consistently displays professionalism in interactions with patients and families, staff, and physicians. 

• Master's degree in social work or Mental Health/Addictions related field to qualify for LCSW-C (Licensed Certified Social Worker Clinical)/ LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), or in Nursing, with Clinical Specialty in Psychiatry. 

• 3-4 years Mental health/addiction experience. 

• Maryland licensure as APRN, LCSW-C, LCPC, RN-CSP or clinical psychologist.