Assessment Specialist

Description

 Gratiot Integrated Health Network (GIHN) has an immediate opening for a full-time, Assessment Specialist.The Assessment Specialist is responsible for providing initial and/or additionally requested comprehensive assessments, determining appropriate treatment planning, and/or making referrals to other services if deemed necessary.  The Assessment Specialist is involved in organized collaborative efforts that may require services from multiple systems.  
With one of our strategic priorities focused on becoming a leading employer of choice in Mid-Michigan, GIHN offers competitive salary, benefits and paid time off, all of which begin on your first day of employment. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider GIHN as your next, and last, employer:

• Flexible working conditions
• Ongoing Professional Training opportunities
• Medical insurance you can trust with BCBS of Michigan. Low employee contribution and employer funded HSA.
• Delta Dental and EyeMed Vision at low, to no, employee cost.
• Student Loan Forgiveness options with Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• 182 hours of paid time off which increases with longevity plus 13 paid holidays
• Corebridge Financial Planning manages our social security opt-out program, along with 401a, 457b and an annual employer contribution of 7.5%.
• Employer paid life insurance.
• Employer paid short term disability
• On-site pharmacy for employee convenience

SALARY RANGE: $60,736-$86,049.60

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt/Salary Status

Requirements

Essential Functions.

To ensure equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, GIHN will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, to allow them to perform the essential functions of a job, unless doing so causes undue hardship on the operation of GIHN.  

1. Performs initial screening and psychosocial assessment of children, adolescents and adults requesting mental health and/or substance abuse services.
2. Provides crisis intervention and access screen services to consumers by phone, walk-in or scheduled appointment and serves as back-up to the Crisis Intervention Specialist.
3. Conducts continued stay reviews at appropriate intervals on inpatient hospitalizations, partial hospitalizations, and crisis residential units to determine if clinical information supports medical necessity for continued treatment. 
4. Coordinates post hospital discharge planning with hospitals and GIHN staff.
5. Performs diagnostic evaluation in collaboration with the Medical Director, Clinical Director, Program Supervisor, and/or Director of Service Utilization as needed.
6. Determines eligibility and level of care based on the practice guidelines of the PIHP.
7. Performs internal program referrals based on eligibility requirements and provides the initial authorization for service(s).
8. Provides ineligible applicants with referral recommendations and Recipient Rights information regarding the Agency’s Reconsideration of Eligibility process.
9. Provides collaboration with referral sources such as physicians, schools, professionals, other agencies, hospitals, courts, etc.
10. Participates in peer reviews/utilization review meetings as necessary.
11. Effectively collects, reports, and uses data and information to support authorization decisions and to improve supports and services across the organization.
12. May provide therapy in initial sessions, aftercare follow-up, and/or crisis intervention services and act as a co-therapist with other clinicians, as needed. 
13. May serve as a member of the emergency services crisis team, providing 24 hour crisis intervention for the residents of Gratiot County.
14. Establishes a positive and productive relationship with community agencies and residents in keeping with current developments in the mental health field.
15. Protects the security, confidentiality and integrity of all protected health information in a manner that is consistent with HIPAA, MDHHS and GIHN policy and procedure.
16. Assures consumers’ rights are protected and recipient rights procedures are followed throughout GIHN and its provider network.
17. Attends and actively participates in GIHN required training as well as seeks external education opportunities for professional growth and development.
18. Abides by all applicable GIHN policies and procedures.
19. Maintains a safe and clean work environment.
20. Performs work and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies.

Must demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge and use of appropriate approaches, skills and techniques which reflect an understanding and awareness of trauma and social, cultural and economic diversity of the target population served.  GIHN employees will actively support the goal of person centered planning and integrated care through the recovery process. GIHN employees will acknowledge and develop competencies to support the understanding of the complexities of the human condition and the manner in which physical health, substance use disorders and physical and/or emotional trauma are interrelated to the need for mental health services. Must demonstrate computer skills, including entering and retrieving data.  Must be able to read and interpret statistical data.  Must demonstrate high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.  Must exhibit strong spelling, grammar and both oral and written communication skills.

Supervisory Responsibility.  This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment.  This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and smartphones.

Physical Demands.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work.  This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position.  Some flexibility in hours is allowed but the employee is expected to be available during the core works hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the majority of the time, and must work 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status, unless an adjusted schedule is pre-approved (a minimum of 30 hours per week is required to maintain full time benefit status).  Some evening hours and weekends may be required.

Travel. Limited to no travel is expected for this position from the Alma Headquarters. 

Required Education and Experience. Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field, is required.  Michigan licensure appropriate to professional degree, i.e. LLP, LMSW, is required.  Must have experience in the diagnosis and provision of services to individuals with mental health illness, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders in a mental health or other human services agency.  

Preferred Education and Experience. Three years of work experience in the mental health field. 

EEO Statement. GIHN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, or any other protected status.  Equal opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.  GIHN expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above, or any other protected status.  Improper interference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.