Court Liaison/Patient Care Secretary

Behavioral Health Unit Liaison

Under the supervision of the BHU management, responsible for the legal documentation related to in-patient psychiatric admission processes on the Behavioral Health Unit and acts as a liaison with the State of Michigan and Probate Court. Responsible for the paper process of the patient's visit, to include: responsibility of patient records and accurate transcription of physician orders and entry. Works closely with patient care team to ensure high quality patient care and employs good guest relations. Strives for superior performance by consistently providing a product or service to leadership and staff that is recognized as ultimately contributing to the patient and family experience. Recognizes and demonstrates understanding of patient and family centered care.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Court Liaison Duties

1. Reviews all Voluntary and Involuntary documents for proper execution, including times, dates, signatures, and takes steps to request and obtain required information and corrections.

2. Follows Mental Health Code timelines for admitted patients, and oversees the execution of proper documents, including, but not limited to:

a. Applications for Voluntary Admission

b. Psychiatry evaluation within 24 hours of admission of involuntary patient

c. Completion of 2nd Clinical Certificate or Voluntary order within 24 hours of admission of Involuntary patient.

d. Completion, service, and filing of Notice of Right to Object to Hospitalization on admits with Treatment Orders.

e. Completion, service, and filing of Demand For Hearing on admits who have signed Requests to Defer.

3. Processes all legal documents, following Mental Health Code required guidelines, including serving notices to patients, filing documents with Probate Courts, mailing original documents to Probate Courts, maintaining BHU patient file.

4. Liaison with Probate Courts. Provides Probate Courts with copies of legal documents and is responsible for initiating and overseeing corrections required by Probate Court when patient information is incorrect, when other corrections need to be made (ie: invalid dates, times, signatures), when documents are not completed correctly, etc.

5. Liaison with State of Michigan. Implements State of Michigan revised court forms and provides in-service instruction to BHU staff and all hospital departments regarding the newly-revised court forms and contents.

6. Liaison with BHU Manager. Notifies BHU manager of all Voluntary and Involuntary process changes which affect Memorial Healthcare policies and which require revisions to those policies, as well as copies of revised forms for policy attachments.

7. On Call by Telephone: available by phone to answer questions and provide information related to Voluntary and Involuntary process as needed by BHU staff.

8. Inform BHU Patient Care Secretaries as to process changes. Facilitate information sharing between PCS's. Supervision of orientation of newly-hired BHU Patient Care Secretaries.

9. Prepare In Service Instruction and cheat sheets containing BHU and computer updates.

10. Maintain Admit/Discharge Log with daily entries and submit report to Manager

11. Manager On-Call Psychiatry Scheduling

a. Communicate with all on-call psychiatrists

b. Schedule Psychiatry coverage

c. Maintain Psychiatry Calendars, including Memorial Healthcare electronic Person On Call schedule

d. Liaison with psychiatrists when information/assistance is requested

e. Inform BHU staff of on-call psychiatry coverage

12. Restraint/Seclusion Log

a. Maintain log of all restraint/seclusion packets

b. Submit restraint/seclusion packets to manager for review

c. Send restraint/seclusion packets to Medical Records upon patient discharge.

PCS Responsibilities

1. Receives, greets, and directs patients, visitors, and hospital personnel arriving on or calling the patient care unit and refers requests to appropriate hospital personnel.

2. Initiates, assembles, and maintains charts for all patients on the assigned unit and files diagnostic and laboratory reports in appropriate charts.

3. Enters appropriate charges and all orders on computer. Assures that all requested orders are signed by physician.

4. Maintains adequate quantity of forms, materials, supplies, and equipment inventory on assigned unit.

5. Communicates all pertinent patient care information and general environmental information to the Manager or other unit staff as appropriate.

6. Upon request, compiles statistical data of records or unit functions such as frequency of test requisitions, etc.

7. Initiates and prepares patient charges or credits either manually or through automated data processing system.

8. Copies, files, and faxes as requested.

9. Scheduling patient procedures where applicable.

10. Attends in-service education programs as assigned to learn new forms, procedures, skills, etc.

11. Completes mandatory safety in-services.

12. Functions as a communication focus during emergency situations, stat requests, and orders.

13. Assists in orientation of newly hired patient care secretaries.

14. Maintains communication with court system for involuntary clients obtaining deferral hearing dates, court dates, and appointed attorney.

15. Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.

16. Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

17. Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served on his/her assigned unit. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's and division's policies and procedures. (See attached for specific age ranges of patients served.)

18. Demonstrates knowledge of Michigan Mental Health Code patient rights and legalities of involuntary in-patient admissions including all legally required documentation.

19. Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

Departmental and Additional Job Responsibilities

1. Maintains a clean, safe, and functional working environment.

2. Participates in performance improvement activities.

3. Assists Manager and Charge Nurse with clerical duties as requested.

4. Performs other duties as assigned.

5. Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Handle with Care (HWC) required.

Job Specifications

Education (List required, and preferred if applicable)

1. Completion of medical terminology course preferred.

2. Completion of Patient Care Secretary class at an accredited college, Memorial Healthcare, or equivalent on-the-job experience

3. Requires level of education necessary to read and interpret physician orders and patient charts, and perform basic math skills.

5. Understanding of and experience with Michigan Mental Health Code

6. Understanding of and experience with Voluntary and Involuntary admission processes

Experience (List required, and preferred if applicable)

1. One year of experience on a Behavioral Health unit preferred.

Essential Physical Abilities/Motor Skills

1. Sedentary Work: Frequently required to stand, kneel and crouch. On a daily basis may be required to move about, sit, climb stairs and bend. Is frequently required to lift and carry up to 20 lbs. May be required to push/pull/carry items between 20-100 lbs.

2. Vision: Requires the ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Near acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Midrange Acuity: Clarity of vision at distances of more than 20 inches and less than 20 feet.

3. Motor Coordination: While performing the duties of the job, it is required to regularly perform functions that include using hand and finger movement, handle or feel objects, be able to use tools or equipment that requires reaching with hands and arms. Must be able to travel independently throughout the hospital; access patients/families including areas confined by space and/or equipment.

4. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give