Lead Psychiatric Crisis Specialist

Join Cleveland Clinic’s Lutheran Hospital where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world-class, and caregivers are family. Located near downtown Cleveland, you will enjoy its wide variety of shopping and dining, proximity to sporting events, and the option of walking or biking to work. While enjoying the perks of being in the heart of Cleveland, you will also work alongside passionate and dedicated caregivers, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.  

Psychiatric Crisis Specialists are members of the Behavioral Health Intake team and are responsible for the through put of all behavioral health patients in the participating Cleveland Clinic System Emergency Departments and Hospitals. The Lead Psychiatric Crisis Specialist maintains oversight of the Specialist and maintains awareness of cases.

At Cleveland Clinic, we know what matters most. That's why we treat our caregivers as if they are our own family, and we are always creating ways to be there for you. Here, you'll find that we offer: resources to learn and grow, a fulfilling career for everyone, and comprehensive benefits that invest in your health, your physical and mental well-being and your future. When you join Cleveland Clinic, you'll be part of a supportive caregiver family that will be united in shared values and purpose to fulfill our promise of being the best place to receive care and the best place to work in healthcare.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains awareness of all case referrals and admissions, the status of admissions, medical clearance issues, unit census, bed availability, unit acuity and safety concerns, insurance issues, admission status recommendations, and any case individual needs or other related case transfer or disposition issues for the behavioral health units at all participating EDs, hospitals, and behavioral health units of the Regional Behavioral Health Service Line.
• Communicates via various reporting methods status of patient cases, unit acuity, bed census and availability, etc. to various enterprise stakeholders at multiple points each day for transparency and problem solving in providing patient care.
• Assigns cases and manages work flow for all Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialists on duty in the main office hub or in any participating regional emergency department or hospital site. Delegates tasks and assignments to employees according to their ability and within the scope of their job descriptions.
• Provides guidance and support to the Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialist staff with problem solving, crisis intervention, procedural issues, advocacy, and resource knowledge. Assists with any needed activation of calls adhering to the established chain of authority for issues that cannot be resolved in the initial, local level.
• Actively seeks opportunities for the highest utilization of bed management and advocates with behavioral health unit nursing leadership on behalf of placing patients safely.
• Provides back up support to the department in times of staffing shortages, increased volume, and on-call rotation to assist with afterhours problem solving. Additionally, provides input to the Department Manager regarding department investigation following the Just Culture model and in offering feedback for issues that may relate to corrective action and performance evaluations.
• Serves on committee and huddle calls regarding process improvement activities and patient through put initiatives. May serve on other activities as assigned.
• Updates communications with all on-duty Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialists regarding unit bed availability, acuity, physician on-call, and any other related work process needs.
• Involves self in professional development opportunities.
• Acts as a role model/mentor.
• Other duties as assigned.

And may perform any and all duties of the Psychiatric Crisis Specialist

• Completes comprehensive mental status, psychosocial, risk, and chemical use assessments. Identifies patient crisis needs. Participates in on-going assessment and care plan recommendations for patients with extended time awaiting dispositions.
• Provides crisis intervention services using a therapeutic intervention, which is based on patient centered outcomes, and standards of care, that are based on current research and evidence based practice.
• Supplies information to the medical team for consideration of a differential diagnosis.
• Pursues on-going education in behavioral health topics.
• Recognizes significant changes in patient condition and responds appropriately.
• Navigates insurance verification and pre-certification processes for behavioral health carve-outs.
• Provides psycho-education to family and significant others of patients, as well as other co-working caregivers about behavioral health, de-escalation, and/or other related topics to assist in the patient’s current plan of care.
• Involves the patient/family (or designee) and other current providers in developing a plan of care individualized to patient cultural, religious, and educational needs.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team in the formulation of an individualized plan of care. Develops appropriate patient goals for identified problems.
• Serves as a patient advocate.
• Process referred cases to appropriate disposition; which may include inpatient placement or assistance with community wrap around services for a successful discharge plan.
• Acts with integrity in placing charge capture for crisis intervention services provided and documenting all requirements for such services provided.
• Communicates information regarding patient plan of care, current outcomes, and acuity at end of shift report.
• Performs routine administrative office functions, as needed to facilitate case work processes.
• Assists in orientation of new Behavioral Health Intake team staff or other hospital personnel.
• Incorporates the use of informatics tools, principals, theories, and practices in the safe and effective delivery of care.
• Works effectively to create and maintain a positive work environment.
• Incorporates patient safety goals in daily practice.
• Completes all documentation and records related to patient care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• BA, BS, MA, or MS in a healthcare profession, MEd, or an RN
• Master’s Degree preferred

Languages:

• Language required  – English
• Language preferred – any secondary language skills

Certifications:

• Certifications required – Licensed Social Worker [LSW], Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC], Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III [LCDC-III], or Registered Nurse [RN]
• Certifications preferred – Licensed Independent Social Worker [LISW], Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation [LISW-S], Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor [LPCC], Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Designation [LPCC-S]

Complexity of Work:

• Ability to multi-task and to assess and prioritize work
• Critical thinking
• Decisive judgement
• Competency of patient populations [child/adolescent, adult, geriatric], diversity, social determinants of health, community resources, Ohio Revised Code, DSM/ICD, mental illness, chemical use/abuse, basic medical clearance, healthcare law, other competencies as assigned
• Ability to work in stressful environments and, at times, volatile situations with professionalism
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group and interdisciplinary team with a collaborative mindset
• Self-regulation and ability to de-escalate others
• Ability to communicate across various comprehension levels; young child to technical professional
• Strong attention to detail in work process and documentation
• Possession of resources for all communities and counties served by Cleveland Clinic facilities
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Quality improvement mindset

Work Experience:

• Experience required –  Two years work experience
• At least one year in a psychiatric clinical setting

Physical Requirements:

• Requires Corrected hearing and vision to normal range
• Some positions may be more sedentary work
• Some positions may be more light work
• Require full range of motion, eye-hand coordination
• Require standing or walking for extensive periods of time
• Require some exposure to communicable disease or bodily fluids

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required