As a clinical consultant, the EMERGENCY PSYCH EVALUATOR LCSW is responsible for comprehensive Behavioral Health assessment, evaluation, and recommendations for care for patients in the Emergency Departments and elsewhere as needed, and for coordinating health services between the hospital, community and home setting.

Responsibilities include:

• Provides Behavioral Health assessment and crisis intervention to psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department, and elsewhere as needed. Interviews the patient to clarify presenting problem and symptom profile, obtains all relevant psychosocial history and information, and confirms with collateral sources whenever possible.
• Provides direction to Crisis Intervention Assistant in contacting collateral sources. Collaborates with the psychiatrist or other licensed physician to formalize clinical impression into formal diagnosis.
• Assists with telephone crisis management for patients with psychiatric and/or Behavioral Health complaints. Assesses and documents the crisis in suspected abuse cases, alcohol and substance use and misuse, using standardized screening protocols.
• Clearly, accurately and thoroughly documents results of the comprehensive behavioral assessment in the current documentation template of the electronic medical record.
• Collaborates with the ED attending provider and psychiatrist to develop recommendations for the next level of care for psychiatric patients seen in consultation.
• Communicates assessment findings to psychiatrist and/or ED attending provider, and team.
• Using internal and external resources, arranges post-ED disposition.
• For patients not in the ED, provides Case management/ Social Work team with clinical recommendations and findings for their facilitation of disposition.
• Recommends and documents psychiatric plan for disposition for psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department.
• Provides regular updates to ED team who implement the plan of care while in the ED. Provides direction to the Crisis Intervention Association. Coordinates admission of patient with inpatient staff as necessary. Accurately gathers and verifies patient insurance information and obtains authorization for services as needed. Completes necessary paperwork and statistical tracking data.
• Refers patients to Protective Services as needed. Provides direction to Crisis Intervention Associate in various non-clinical tasks associated with the evaluation, disposition, and placement of patient.
• Communicates with patients, families, colleagues and management regarding applicable plan of care issues. Communicates with ED staff and Behavioral Health Evaluation (BHE) team colleagues regarding the plan for and progress of patient disposition.
• Assists in-house medical staff with information and education regarding admissions to psychiatric facilities, community services, etc. as appropriate

Experience Required:

1-3 years relevant experience

Education Required:

Master of Social Work

Licenses And Certification Required:

Current Maryland LCSW, LCPC or Psychology license