Psychiatric Crisis Therapist II

Advocate Aurora Health - Park Ridge, IL

Park Ridge, IL

Hospitals

About the position

To provide behavioral health knowledge and skills including crisis evaluation, verbal and physical de-escalation, psychiatric support, consultation, behavioral health education and problem-solving as well as comprehensive treatment to patients and families in our Pediatric Emergency Departments. Facilitates the management of complicated pediatric psychiatric events. Conducts assessments, provides counseling, collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, arranges transfers to higher level of care and conducts discharge planning with emphasis on resource referrals and linkage to follow up care. Supports in training of new and non-clinically licensed staff and graduate level interns. Ability to work on site at either Pediatric Emergency Department in Park Ridge, IL or Oak Lawn, IL and potentially cover the other locations virtually.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention, brief psychotherapy, triage, resource development and disposition recommendations for behavioral health patients of the Emergency Department via both in person and via telehealth as indicated by site.
• Provides direct specialized care with patients who have been identified as needing psychological assessment or interventions beyond the scope of general patient care practice, including assessment of patients' mental status, psychosocial stressors, level of functioning, risk, support systems, strengths and needs.
• Provide reassessment and reevaluation under the IL Mental Health Code, counsels patients utilizing solution focused therapy and utilizes problem solving collaboratively with patient to stabilize condition/crisis.
• Uses short-term crisis intervention techniques and/or referrals to other support services to support patients and families dealing with acute emotional distress, addictions, grief, loss, disability and traumatic lifestyle changes.
• Develops discharge and safety plan in direct consultation with patient, family, physician and health care team. Coordinates arrangements to implement plan.
• Responds to codes/internal crisis situations as appropriate to site and provides education and or support to the interdisciplinary team.
• Provides direct support to the on-site psychiatry team by way of rounding, reassessment and collaboration including the completion of certificates if necessary.
• Facilitates admission process to inpatient psychiatric unit (site specific).
• Ensure patients are pre-certified for recommended level of care.
• Communicates with staff and physicians of the Emergency Department, medical unit, Behavioral Health Services and/or human service agencies to obtain all relevant patient information, refers patients and consults with other staff regarding patient progress to provide optimum patient care.
• Provide clinical supervision and training to non-clinically licensed staff and graduate level interns.
• Participate in unit meetings, trainings related to departmental changes or enhancements and education.
• Adheres to relevant state and federal guidelines governing patient care and treatment of sensitive information, particularly the Illinois Developmental Disability and Mental Health Code, the Illinois Confidentiality Code, HIPPA and EMTALA.
• Ability to flex hours within the department and cross train to related job roles/duties to meet the needs of the department.
• Ensure accurate data collection for billing, the management information system, and other purposes in accord with organizational policies and procedures.

Requirements

• LCSW, LCPC licensure required.
• Master's Degree in behavioral health sciences or related field with a minimum of two years' experience in a mental health or related setting.
• Experience with the pediatric population preferred.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations with strong interpersonal skills; knowledge of techniques to de-escalate aggressive behavior.
• High tolerance for emotionally stressful situations sometimes encountered daily with psychiatric and substance abuse patients.
• Risk assessment, psychotherapy and family/group treatment skills, and knowledge of behavioral health referrals and resources.
• Knowledge of DSM-V diagnostic categories.
• Knowledge and education on the typical development related to the lifespan (i.e., normal patterns of adolescent behavior and look for signs or normal aging, prior experience with various age groups is preferred).
• Basic computer and typing skills; Organization and time management skills.

Benefits

• Ability to work at both the Oak Lawn and Park Ridge Emergency Departments as needed.
• Flexibility in scheduling to cover shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.