Access to Care Specialist

Overview

The Access to Care department is the single point of entry into the majority of AltaPointe's programs and services.  Access to Care is responsible for coordinating patient care throughout our continuum, which may include facilitating hospital admissions and crisis services, making discharge arrangements following hospitalization, initializing outpatient services for new patients, as well as providing referrals and linkage to other community resources.  Through a brief telephone screening, trained staff members assess an individual’s needs for care, triage any crisis that the caller is experiencing, and determine the most appropriate level of care and service.  All Access to Care team members receive specialized crisis training in addition to their own experience and educational credentials which include bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in behavioral health disciplines or related fields.  

Responsibilities

Access to Care Specialists screen requests for services to determine the problem(s), assess risk level, and prioritize the needs of the individual. They provide crisis intervention and resolution, including symptomatic relief, de-escalation or resolution of the situation, and referrals to appropriate services. They also facilitate admission to program services ensuring appropriateness of level of care through use of clinical criteria.

Essential Functions

• Screens requests for services to determine the problem(s), assess risk level, and prioritize the needs of the individual
• Facilitates admission to AltaPointe program services ensuring appropriateness of level of care through use of clinical criteria
• Completes initial screenings and accurately populates EMR for potential patients, including those requesting outpatient, crisis, and hospital services.
• Assists with needed follow up services regarding patient well-being, payor source information, rescheduling, etc.
• Provides community resources and referral information to callers and patients.
• Provides crisis intervention and resolution, including symptomatic relief, de-escalation or resolution of the situation, and referrals to appropriate services, when indicated
• Adheres to customer service standards and professional code of ethics
• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills
• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents appropriately, completely, and comprehensively in EMR
• Documents in a clear and concise manner
• Assists and treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion
• Respects patient’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the patient’s needs, expectations, and individual differences
• Maintains a gentle and calm demeanor when assisting patients and families
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a mental health discipline or related field.  Must have clear communication and good customer service skills, including patience, attentiveness, the ability to use positive language; great work ethic and a willingness to do what needs to be done. Knowledge in specialties outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders
• Basic knowledge of the nature of addiction
• Knowledge of crisis intervention
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of cultural diversity