Mental Health Assistant

Mental Health Assistant

The Mental Health Assistant is a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team for the patients. In collaboration with the clinical team, reviews, and triages incoming referrals for scheduling and/or service and resource linkages. Also, in collaboration with clinical team, and with some latitude for independent judgement, serves as a liaison between patients/referring providers and clinical services to ensure connection to appropriate services. May also provide support through post discharge contact focused on supporting adherence to discharge plan.

Essential Functions

• Referral Coordination: Completes screening for eligibility and facilitates referral for patients; ensures that referral is directed to the appropriate clinical services. Communicates directly with referring offices regarding outcomes or recommendations. Presents complex cases to clinical team for triage/recommendations. Has detailed knowledge of UR Behavioral Health clinics and workflows. Has knowledge of community resources for services not offered at UR.
• Discharge Planning: Consults and collaborates with team members and patient/family on discharge planning. Meets with assigned patients prior to discharge to discuss how they will be following up post discharge. Utilizes knowledge of community resources and clinical recommendations to facilitate referrals. Develops and maintains resource lists within the electronic medical record. Verify patient's access to their own safety plan and consult Sr. Clinical Coordinator if safety concerns arise. Functions as the clinic contact if assigned patient has questions after discharge.
• Documentation: Documents all interactions, interventions, referrals, discharge plans, contacts in the patient's chart in compliance with Division, Department and Hospital policy.
• Cultural Respect and Administrative: Ensures Psychiatry Department, and Hospital policies and procedures are implemented with regard to professional practice, discharge planning, and patient care. Complies with Division and Departmental quality assurance and staff development activities. T imely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews. Subscribes to the Departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patient, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competence events and training appropriate to job duties.
• Cross Coverage: Provides back up services, within scope of practice, as requested in the absence of co-workers.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, other Social Sciences or Human Services required.
• 1 year experience in working with behavioral health population in a direct care capacity or equivalent combination of education and experience required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Work as a member of a team and also able to work independently preferred.
• Understanding of psychosocial stressors, community resources and safety issues; basic crisis intervention skills; problem solving skills; well-developed listening skills; ability to communicate clearly; ability to advocate, research and collaborate on behalf of patients preferred.
• Knowledge of how to use Microsoft Word products and electronic medical record preferred.

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