This position is responsible for the day to day operations for the admission process including: maintaining waiting lists, developing/maintaining relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to facilitate timely and appropriate placement of patients. The position is also responsible for training, orientation and education of Access Clinicians on proper department procedures, with particular attention to teaching abuse/risk/duty to warn reporting, needs assessments, Interqual criteria, and excellent customer service. This position also conducts needs assessments, as needed. The Lead may attend meetings in the absence of the Access manager, and assists with meeting minutes. Evaluates individuals seeking psychiatric treatment, conducts intake assessments and makes appropriate level of care recommendations based on Interqual criteria. Refers patients to appropriate services and coordinates the intake process for patients admitted to the Peace Center.

• Responsible for day to day operations for the admission process including: A) Maintaining waiting order/lists when needed. B) Developing/maintaining working relationships with Nursing, Nursing Managers, BA Managers, and Directors to facilitate timely and appropriate placement of patients. C) Developing/maintaining relationships and communication with key referral sources, community and team.
• Train and educate ARC Clinicians/Team Members on proper department procedures with particular attention to teaching abuse/risk/duty to warn reporting, level of care/needs assessments, interqual criteria, and excellent customer service.
• Serves as the primary onsite resource for physicians, referral sources, team members, and internal departments along with critiques/provides feedback/suggestions improvements to department procedures.
• Demonstrates through knowledge of interqual criteria, managed care organizations, state and federal insurance regulations and is able to educate and monitor compliance of other clinicians to these standards.
• Facilitates effective resolution of customer services issues from physicians, receiving patient care areas, referring agencies/facilities, the business office and patients/families.
• Identifies and explores opportunities for expanding or improving current services. Designs new ways to approach team members and organizational goals and implements improvements.
• Participates in clinical meetings as designated by either the Manager or Director. Prepares meeting minutes.
• Conducts needs assessments and makes appropriate level of care recommendations based on interqual criteria, as needed. Refers patients to appropriate services and coordinates the intake process for patients admitted to the Peace Center.
• Shares on-call coverage for the department as outlined by Manager and organizational need.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the patient to include pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.
• Demonstrates familiarity of laws related to involuntary admissions of patients; MIW, and 72-hour holds.
• Acts as a resource for Innovations/Specialty units and consults with program staff regarding patient care and age specific problems to facilitate challenging situations as they arise and to enhance staff decision making and performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education / Accreditation / Licensure (required & preferred):

• Master’s degree in social work or related field required.
• Current certification as a Clinical Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in the state of Kentucky preferred.
• Ability to complete Healthcare Provider/Basic Life Support and safe crisis management training and to perform as needed required within 30 days of hire.

Experience (required and preferred):

• A minimum of one year of admitting/assessment experience required.