CRISIS WORKER

MT. SINAI HOSPITAL / HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL CRISIS WORKER - PSYCHIATRIC TRIAGE DEPARTMENT JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Summary: The Emergency Department (ED) Crisis Worker is responsible for conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments of patients across the lifespan (adults, children, and adolescents) who present in acute psychiatric or behavioral health crisis. This role plays a critical function in identifying psychiatric symptoms, coordinating stabilization efforts, and determining appropriate dispositions in collaboration with psychiatric providers and ED physicians.


Key Responsibilities: • Perform in-depth biopsychosocial assessments for individuals presenting with acute behavioral health symptoms, including suicidality, homicidality, psychosis, mania, agitation, intoxication, and anxiety. • Collaborate with on-call psychiatric providers and ED physicians to determine disposition and coordinate immediate stabilization efforts. • Evaluate patients' medical stability in coordination with ED staff and facilitate necessary medical clearance. • Demonstrate knowledge of psychotropic medications and their implications in emergency care. • Understand and appropriately complete legal documentation, including voluntary admissions, mental health certificates, and involuntary petitions. • Coordinate inpatient psychiatric admissions and transfers to state and private facilities. • Interpret and apply DSM criteria to assist in developing preliminary psychiatric diagnoses in consultation with licensed clinicians. • Provide patients with referrals to community resources, substance abuse programs, and mental health services, and follow up on external referrals as needed. • Serve as a liaison among family members, ED staff, and external agencies (e.g., law enforcement, social services, SASS, nursing homes). • Conduct screenings for patients seeking detoxification services through the Center for Substance Recovery.

Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related behavioral health field. • Experience in psychiatric emergency services, crisis intervention, or acute behavioral health care strongly preferred. • Strong knowledge of DSM criteria, legal procedures related to psychiatric care, and familiarity with healthcare systems and insurance processes. • Proven ability to multitask, manage time effectively, and prioritize in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. • Capable of working independently with sound clinical judgment and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines. • Proficiency in typing at a minimum of 60 words per minute. • Ability to remain calm and focused while managing psychiatric crises and emotionally intense situations.

Preferred Skills: • Bilingual or multilingual abilities, especially in Spanish, are highly desirable. • Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems and documentation standards. • Certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI), or similar crisis management training. • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport quickly in high-acuity situations. • Knowledge of state mental health regulations, commitment processes, and psychiatric hospitalization protocols. • Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.