PSYCHIATRIC LIAISON - Tri City Healthcare District

Tri-City Healthcare District has been serving the North County region for almost 60 years and remains committed to providing high quality healthcare and community services for every individual we encounter regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status.

Our mission is to advance the health and wellness of the community we serve. In order to achieve our mission, we see, hear and listen to our front line healthcare workers, employees, medical staff and all community stakeholders in order to understand and meet our community’s needs.

Position Summary:

The Psychiatric Liaison (PL) is a (licensed) mental health PL who is responsible for performing psychiatric assessments in department or home care and nursing units throughout TCMC. Serves as the liaison between the department, home care, nursing units and Behavioral Health Services (BHS). The PL conducts assessments and coordinates for the safe admission, transfer, referral, or other appropriate disposition of patients according to their needs. The PL also serves as a liaison to the community and responds to law enforcement, friends, families, and others in the coordination of appropriate treatment for patients who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The PL is responsible for verifying and obtaining authorization from the patient’s insurance company and ensuring the appropriate placement for patients requiring admission or transfer. Patients not requiring inpatient services are assisted with appropriate outpatient referrals.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
•  Thoroughly assesses the patient’s emotional and psychiatric needs.  If relevant, patient’s families or significant others are contacted in order to obtain a clear clinical picture of the patient’s needs in order to obtain the appropriate disposition. 
• Promptly respond to each request from the Emergency Department and nursing units for service and collaborates with the referring physician and/or nurse to determine the reason for the request.
• Coordinates with law enforcement regarding number of psychiatric patients and the availability of beds in BHS.
• Consults with the referring physician and/or nurse in charge of the patient to determine the exact request for services.
• Discusses his/her clinical impressions and recommendations with the referring physician and patient’s nurse and prepare for the expedient placement of the patient. 
• Completes all required documentation including the PL Assessment, Suicide Risk Assessment, Elopement Risk Assessment, logs, and Requests to CMH as applicable.
• Initiates 72 hour holds when clinically indicated and advises patients of 72 hour hold if indicated.
• Verifies payer benefits for all admissions and provides clinical information to insurance reviewers for pre-authorization.
• Coordinates admission to the inpatient unit with the psychiatrist and nursing staff.
• If a patient is being considered for admission to BHS at Tri-City Medical Center, the on-call psychiatrist is contacted.  If the psychiatrist accepts this patient for admission to BHS, the PL coordinates the admission with BHS staff, including facilitation of RN reports.
• Patients are transferred as expeditiously as possible after being medically cleared. The PL will ensure that the patient is in a gown, has been searched for contraband and weapons, and all clothing and other personal belongings are bagged and given to the BHU RN.
• The PL records the activity from each shift according to documentation expectations in the patients record.
• Performs patient assessments on medical units of the hospital upon referral and completes clinical documentation in accordance with hospital standards.  Collaborates with on-call psychiatrist as needed
• Collaborates with medical unit social workers and case managements to achieve satisfactory dispositions and transfers.
• May provide ongoing supervision to MFT, PhD, and PsyD trainees and interns.
• Develops and maintains effective communication, through written and/or verbal mechanisms, with the physician, patient/family/significant other and internal/external members of the health care team.
• Communicates on a frequent basis with the PL supervisor. Immediately contacts the BHS Director if a situation requires immediate attention from management.
• Participates in regular staff meetings. 
• Attends regularly (monthly) scheduled PL meetings.
• Utilizes organizational and time management skills to proficiently perform these duties in a fiscally responsible and clinical manner.
• Actively utilizes problem-solving techniques.  Uses sound clinical judgment when assessing and dispositioning patients. Is able to handle high stress situations and uses clinical skills to defuse escalating patients, family members etc.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1 year professional experience within an acute inpatient setting or 2 years within an acute outpatient setting.
• Familiarity with psychiatric symptoms, diagnoses, medications and referrals.
• Possess a working knowledge and understanding of the DSM-5.
• Ability to communicate effectively utilizing both written and verbal skills.

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in a relevant healthcare field (Psychology, Social Services, or Marriage and Family Therapy), required.

Licenses:

• California license at the Masters level or above (LMFT, LCSW, or Psychologist), required. 
• Current CA driver license and insurance, required (Home Health only)

Certifications:

• Certification as a Supervisor for Intern and Practicum students, preferred.
• NVCI required within 90 days of hire or transfer.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work.

*Salary/Hourly Wage range based on experience.

To protect the health of patients and staff, and to comply with the new State of California mandates, all job offers are contingent on the successful engagement in the TCMC COVID-19 vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral.)

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.