Triage Mental Health Counselor

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Job Description:

Responsible for the smooth function of the unit by serving as the person in charge of triaging patient intake/transfer calls and prioritizing system behavioral services bed capacity. Serves as liaison with system referral partners and provides supportive and informational communication with persons served. Ensures optimal intake and bed placement of patients. The BH Transfer Center Mental Health Counselor assists with the daily operations of the Bed Placement and the Transfer Center department to provide timely service to clients.

Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the procedural functioning of the shift and managing referrals in EMR, tracking and monitoring referral status.

2. Answers phone calls, provides initial phone assessment and screening for bedded programs.

3. Ensures that all referral information is complete.

4. Consistently uses multiple computer systems to appropriately place clients, maintain awareness of, and monitor activity of bed capacity at programs.

5. Conducts ASAM screenings for all members seeking service. Provides referral information to individuals who do not meet program admission requirements.

6. Serves as primary liaison between the organization and other providers such as hospital emergency rooms and referring partners to ensure quality of care. Maintains relationships and communication with referral sources.

7. Acts as a conduit for the flow of information regarding programmatic updates and clinical procedural alerts.

8. Maintains professionalism through clear and appropriate communication within BILH Behavioral Services and other referral partners.

9. Accesses administrator on call when needed and escalates referral information as indicated to treatment providers.

10. Provides feedback to Transfer Center Manager regarding issues affecting shift performance.

11. Ensures the transfer of necessary information to/from sending/receiving site for methadone guest dosing and any other medications that need to be filled prior to and to ensure successful admission.

12. Maintains denial and acceptance in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

13. Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION:

• Bachelor degree preferred.

• Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or one or more years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrates a positive demeanor that allows for respectful and courteous interaction with all external and internal clients

• Works cooperatively and effectively with others with the ability to adapt to changes in the workplace

• Stays current with maintaining professional status

• Must be able to pay attention to detail, multi-tasking, and be a team player 5. Must be able to demonstrate teamwork

• Must be able to demonstrate excellent communication

• Must be able to answer phones and hear and communicate fluently with English speaking callers.

• Must be able to key into computer

• Must be able to read documentation and computer entries. Excellent communication is essential and teamwork among colleagues.

Schedule: Per diem

Pay Range:

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law.  Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled