General Description
The Access Clinician has primary responsibilities for providing emergency services, crisis stabilization, hospital pre-screening, clinical assessment for eligibility for services, utilization management and information and referral. Services performed by the Access Clinician are provided within the LCMHA Emergency Services and Access System.
Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited Master’s or PhD program in Psychology, Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, or other related behavioral health field.
- Licensed or certified by the State of Michigan in psychology, social work, guidance and counseling, or other related behavioral health field.
- Have education and demonstrated competency in assessment, crisis management and stabilization, therapeutic, and hospital liaison and pre-screening activities for adults and children who have mental illness or intellectual / development disabilities, and individuals who have substance use disorders.
- One-year of postgraduate work experience in the areas of severe and persistent mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use.
- Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
Competencies
- Have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Have the ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision.
- Possess the ability to use computers in a clinical setting.
- Be familiar with managed care, state, federal, and private health insurance benefits.
- Excellent customer service skills are required.
- Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills are required.
- Ability to demonstrate absolute discretion with confidential information is required.
- Have basic computer knowledge (such as familiarity with email and internet use) and experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Complete assessment to determine service eligibility and assign a preliminary diagnosis and level of care for developmental disability, mental illness, and substance abuse disorder services.
- Authorize services to providers of care and ensure the initiation of services.
- Assist consumers with referrals to community services providers.
- Complete emergency assessments.
- Complete pre-screening assessments for inpatient admission.
- Provide crisis stabilization services.
- Serve as a member of the Children’s Diagnostic Services Team.
- Complete authorizations for continued outpatient treatment.
- Complete authorization for continued hospitalization.
- Complete authorization for continued substance abuse treatments.
- Track required Access / Emergency Services data elements for LCMHA and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
- Regular and consistent attendance as assigned.
- Carry out additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain (at own expense) licensure and/or certification required to provide professional services in Michigan.
- Demonstrate a person centered approach to assessment and treatment.
- Complete and submit documentation within required time frames.
- Maintain complete, detailed records consistent with MDHHS standards and agency procedures.
- Work harmoniously, collaboratively and cooperatively with staff across programs and departments within LCMHA.
- Maintain positive working relationships with agencies in the community.
- Perform duties and responsibilities in ways that promote goodwill, build positive relationships, preserve human dignity, and contribute positively to the LCMHA service organization.
- Attend LCMHA mandatory in-service training.
- Participate in LCMHA Performance Improvement Program.
- Comply with all LCMHA policies and procedures.
Special Position Requirements
This position requires a method of transportation to travel within Lenawee County and to meetings outside of the county when requested.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
Should be able to bend, stretch, reach, and lift up to 20 pounds. An individual in this position needs to move about inside the office occasionally to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. The work environment involves sitting most of the time in an office environment infrequently exposed to extreme temperature, noise, fumes, dust, etc.
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that should be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
