Social Worker, Emergency Department - Berkshire Health Systems

• DEFINITION/PRIMARY FUNCTION
  • The Psychiatric ED Screener is a mental health worker whose primary function is to triage, assess and provide disposition for patients that arrive in the ED seeking a mental health crisis intervention voluntarily, or via sec 12 A. The Psychiatric ED Screener works in concert with the ED medical staff, external agencies, psychiatry residents and attending on-call psychiatrists as well as inpatient psychiatry and inpatient substance use (McGee Unit) staff, security, and local/regional law enforcement personnel. S/he functions as an integral member of this interdisciplinary team. S/he provides emergency suicide risk assessments to potentially volatile patients, collects pertinent collateral information from families and other support networks via in-person or telephone interview and through appropriate review of the EMR. The Psychiatric ED Screener will be knowledgeable about utilizing the DSM-5 in order to appropriately diagnose mental illnesses. S/he will develop effective, working psychosocial formulations and consult with the ED attending who will then order the safest possible disposition for the patient. The Psychiatric ED Screener will effectively and efficiently coordinate with the ED attending to formulate a disposition plan and document it in the medical record. If a patient is to be admitted to an inpatient psychiatric Unit, the Psychiatric ED Screener will coordinate and review case with the on-call psychiatrist or resident. The Psychiatric ED Screener will assist the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit with insurance authorizations as requested and support Acute Care and McGee in completing Safety Plans for patients at high risk for suicide. Floating to assist inpatient units during low/ no volume in the Psych ED is expected.
• POSITION QUALIFICATIONS (Minimum qualifications are required unless stated otherwise.)
  • Experience:
    • 1 year of experience administering crisis assessments in BH care or similar setting.
  • Education and Training:
    • Master's Degree in social work, counseling or psychology required
  • License, Certification & Registration:

    • LCSW/LICSW/LMHC - LCSW/LICSW/LMHC - Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Independent Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Clinician required

    • Hospital approved de-escalation training - Crisis intervention (MOAB) training required within 1 month of hire.
    • Independent licensure as an LICSW or LMHC preferred.
  • Other Requirements:
    • Demonstrated ability to work within a multidisciplinary team is essential.
    • Proven ability in developing biopsychosocial case formulations is required.
    • Experience in dealing with MCO's and their role in the admission process is required.
    • Demonstrated ability to provide high quality patient care and effectively utilize clinical supervision is required.
    • Must be a good role model for patients.
    • Qualified candidates must demonstrate evidence of clinical and personal growth.

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