Job Description

Work Shift

Day/Evening

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by providing direct support to the Unit Operations Supervisor and patient care team. The Behavioral Health Unit Intake Coordinator promotes a safe and therapeutic environment through serving as an advocate for proper patient care and discharge planning, as well as assisting in the external patient referral process.

Job Duties

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Develops an understanding of in-state and out of state referral sources external direct admission to patient referrals and patient registrations. Collaborates with other programs and departments within and outside of Mercy Ability to work with a variety of personalities, character, or ability. Serves as a liaison between physicians and departments to ensure timely and quality care delivery. Communicates daily with physicians and clinical staff regarding the plan of care and progress towards goals. Assists in facilitating daily care conferences through notetaking related to huddle conversations and discharge plans. Ensures appropriate admission status has been documented applying DSM5 criteria and communicates effectively with physicians per utilization review process. Collaborates with social workers to complete case management assessment of patients and support systems to facilitate the most appropriate and timely transition plan and assists the care team or discharging facility to establish an effective care plan prior to the patient's transfer to another setting including outpatient assignments. Ensures that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand-offs and other times as needed. Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information to allow for the best possible patient outcome. Documents and upload in medical record data collected from patient observations, committal information, and verified patient demographics. Performs external referral calls as required, answers unit phone for external calls and internal calls, as well as conducts discharge follow-up calls. Collaborates with referral sources to ensure appropriate follow-up care. Responds appropriately to emergencies and life-threatening conditions. Demonstrates support for changes in practice designed to improve performance. Creates a welcoming environment for new staff members, patients, and patient's families. External direct admission to patient referrals and patient registrations. Accepts other assignments as appropriate, including assignments related to Behavioral Services Outpatient Support Services. Complies with company policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations. Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work well with an interdisciplinary team and health care providers. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and referral sources. Works in a safety-conscious manner which ensures that safe work practices are used in order not to pose a risk to self or others in the workplace. Reports any safety violations or hazards to supervisor. Interacts in a tactful, diplomatic, and humanistic manner with residents, families, visitors, and co-workers to provide a safe, efficient, and therapeutically effective caring environment which ensures the self-respect, personal dignity, rights and physical safety of each resident and facility guest. Excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrates the ability to provide safe and effective patient care. Ensures that accurate and relevant information is communicated with patients, families, and coworkers at hand-offs to ensure the best possible patient outcomes within MMC. Self-starter: able to initiate and direct own activities in an organized manner and make decisions within the framework of the responsibility and authority of the job. Knowledge of utilization management process; discharge planning and managed care processes is a plus. Ability to work with a variety of personalities, character or ability.

Professional Experience

Previous nursing experience or educational or work experience with mental health, chemical dependency, or behavioral patients preferred. Case management experience preferred. Working knowledge of healthcare insurance, Medicare and Medicaid preferred.

Education

Associate's Degree or Bachelor's degree preferred.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

Current valid driver's license, valid auto insurance, own transportation required. Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training required. Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date. Basic Life Support (BLS) in accordance with the American Heart Association required.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.


Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.