Overview At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.
Job Summary Works as Psychiatric Response Team Clinician providing care within various Emergency Departments, medical units and tele-psychiatry throughout the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. The Response Team Clinician is part of a mobile team required to travel to all system hospitals in their personal automobile. This role is identified as essential personnel for the Healthcare system and must staff all shifts (days, evenings, overnights, and weekends). The Response Team Clinician is part of Disaster Team A. The Response Team Clinician intervenes with patients who have identified psychiatric or chemical dependency needs or are identified as at risk of harm to self or others. Suicidal ideations; severely distressed or extremely anxious; substance abuse and dependency; unexplained somatic complaints; confusion or disorientation not caused by a medical condition; bizarre or agitated behavior; hallucinations or delusions; threat of harm to others; mood disturbances; behavioral disturbances. The clinician must demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the patient served, including crisis intervention and knowledge of the DSM-IV TR. The clinician conducts psychiatric evaluation including diagnosis and determines voluntary or involuntary status, evaluates risk factors for patient safety including suicide and homicide assessments, and determines treatment plan and level of care. The clinician provides crisis intervention counseling to patients and families and coordinates a care plan including psychiatric hospitalization transfers, referrals, and aftercare. The clinician consults with response team medical directors and attending physicians for case review and medication recommendations, communicates with family and physicians, and facilitates disposition regardless of payor source. The role receives referrals for at risk populations from interdisciplinary team members.
Job Description Minimum Qualifications
Education: Masters Degree in Social Work and licensure as a clinician or undergoing clinical supervision; or Master’s degree in counseling or related field.
Licenses/Certifications:
Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist-Associate, LMFT-A or LMFT
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, LMFT
Experience / Knowledge / Skills:
Two (2) years psychiatric/healthcare field experience preferred, internships considered.
Knowledge of best practices in working with various psychiatric populations.
The ability to work independently.
Demonstrates capability in conducting evaluations to determine psychosocial and psychiatric needs of adults, children and families.
Insight into the importance of thorough risk assessments for suicide and homicide.
Awareness of the role of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual DSM in diagnosing mental illness.
Possesses understanding of psychiatric levels of care.
Verbalizes understanding of crisis intervention techniques as well as some general counseling techniques with individuals and families.
Academic knowledge/experience of family systems and engaging the family in the patient’s treatment.
Theoretical knowledge of interviewing, assessment, organizational and problem solving skills.
Ability to apply theory to practice of identifying community resources on assigned caseload and to work collaboratively with patients, families, multidisciplinary team and community agencies to achieve outcomes; seek consultation or supervision from team clinical leaders on complex cases when appropriate.
Knowledge of interpersonal communication and negotiation skills; good analytical and PC skills; ability to develop collaborative relationships with physicians, families, patients, interdisciplinary team and community agencies.
Open to working with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; adaptable to change. Ability to connect patients and families with necessary services inside and outside the MHHS network; knowledge of local services, including those available to patients with limited or no payment resources; demonstrates patience and tact in interactions.
Principal Accountabilities
On the basis of a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment, assess the patient and psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of current and prior functioning, mental health history, severity of psychiatric symptoms, support systems, reaction to illness and coping ability.
Evaluate for self-injurious or harmful behaviors and recommend precautions according to patient acuity.
Consult with BHS medical directors (psychiatrists) and attending physician for case review and medication recommendations.
Provide psychiatric diagnoses and document clinical criteria and psychiatric symptoms.
Provide counseling and/or treatment to individuals, couples, families, or groups and diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders and addictions.
Educate adults, children and families experiencing emotional disturbances, mental illness or problems related to substance abuse.
Intervene with patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability; mobilize family/community resources to meet needs.
Provide intervention in cases involving child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, elderly abuse, institutional abuse and sexual assault.
Serve as a resource person and provide crisis counseling and intervention related to treatment decisions.
Advocate for patient and family empowerment and independence to make autonomous health care decisions and access needed services within the health care system and community.
Ensure safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adhere to Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.
Promote professional growth and development by meeting mandatory/continuing education requirements; support department goals; serve as preceptor and mentor to less experienced staff.
Demonstrate commitment to caring for every member of the community by delivering compassionate and personalized experiences; model Memorial Hermann service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences.
Other duties as assigned.