Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Responds to crisis cases by providing diagnostic assessment, crisis intervention therapy, mobilization of internal and external resources; establishing appropriate stabilization and disposition of each case; and referral for follow-up care.

Qualifications

Master's Degree in Social Work or related area, licensed in the State of Utah as either a CSW or LCSW, and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills is required. Or RN license in the state of Utah with previous experience in a mental health setting; demonstrated organizational, communication, and human relations skills; and a current Basic Life Support Health Care Provider Card certification or obtain one within 6 months of employment required Or PHD level Psychologist, licensed in the State of Utah, with previous counseling experience and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills is required.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Provides immediate response and crisis treatment to crisis victims, their families and departments requesting assistance.
2. Completes diagnostic patient assessments; outlines and implements therapeutic strategies; mobilizes and convenes support systems; acquires specialized medical consultation as needed; and arranges appropriate follow-up or referral for each crisis case.
3. Collaborates with on-call psychiatric residents to arrange voluntary or involuntary admissions to the inpatient unit, ensuring all legal procedures are followed and involuntarily detained patients are informed of their civil rights within 24 hours of their admission.
4. Completes clinical documentation of the patients assessment and services in the proper hospital record, and maintains files on all crisis patients.
5. Educates families and/or patients regarding disease or injury processes, hospital and agency routines and legal procedures.
6. May participate in case conferences, patient care planning meetings; and with community health agencies to facilitate continuity of care and coordination of services.
7. Responds to on-call requests from police, health and service agencies, media, families and patients to provide consultation as needed.
8. Plans and participates in staff development conferences for crisis staff; may assist in training psychiatric residents and graduate students.
9. Assists with community outreach activities, i.e., professional counseling, lectures, inservice training and preventive education programs.
10. Collects and analyzes utilization data to evaluate program effectiveness, quality assurance, program planning and contracted service.
11. May serve in rotational assignments to cover weekend hospital Social Work services, EAP councelor duty, and, if qualified, serve as a Designated Examiner at Civil Psychiatric Commitment Hearings.

Problem Solving

This position has the authority to assess and diagnose psychiatric emergency patients; deem if and when to hospitalize or civilly commit patients; and determine what resources a client and family require to resolve or diminish a crisis.

Challenges encountered by the incumbent include responding to suicidal and homicidal patients, those who are too irrational to remain at liberty in the community or who may be infected with hazardous infectious agents. There is also a risk of assault from agitated, combative, irrational patients experiencing psychosis from mental disorders or substance abuse.

Comments

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.