Admissions Counselor

at  Ascension St Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital

Overview:
Join Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, a leading provider of behavioral health services. We are actively seeking a compassionate Full-Time Admissions Counselor to enhance our team of dedicated professionals. Renowned for offering a comprehensive continuum of care for adults and seniors, Ascension Saint Thomas strives to deliver empathetic, individualized treatment solutions. If you are passionate about contributing to a top-tier behavioral health facility and making a difference in the lives of those experiencing mental health challenges, we welcome you to apply.

Ascension St. Thomas Behavioral Health provides a comprehensive benefits package for our Admissions Counselor. Current benefits include:

• Competitive Pay: Receive a competitive hourly rate plus a shift differential.
• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policies to support work-life balance.
• Employee Perks: Enjoy discounts across a wide range of products and services through our Employee Discount Program.
• Support in Times of Need: Access to our Employee Disaster Assistance Program for unforeseen circumstances.
• Retirement Planning: Participate in the Acadia Healthcare 401(k) plan with robust investment options.
• Professional Development: Benefit from an excellent training program to enhance your skills.
• Career Advancement: Experience professional growth opportunities unparalleled in the industry, within a national network of hospitals and facilities.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows).
• Master’s degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.
• Three or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.
• Experience in the managed care pre-certification process, level of care assessments and utilization preferred.

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Clinical professional responsible for facilitating admissions, clinical intake assessments and utilization review processes to assure continuity for the most appropriate level of care for patients and their benefit/resources utilization.
Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission. Communicate benefit eligibility to the business office and the patient or significant other.
• Collaborate with other facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
• Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
• Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
• Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patient (including medical comorbidity information) is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.
• Schedule (when applicable) and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to patient or their family.
• Possess skill in preparing and maintaining appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.
• Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
• Admit patient in the registration and accounting system. Complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.