Summary/Overview:

Working as part of a collaborative care team with the residents, attending physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses in the Acute Psychiatry Service (APS), the primary responsibility of this Clinical Care Coordinator is to facilitate referrals for psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department (ED) to psychiatric hospitals, inpatient substance abuse treatment centers and diversionary services. Additional responsibilities of this position include obtaining all necessary insurance authorizations for admissions and assuring timely transitions for patients out of the APS/ED and into an appropriate next level of care. The clinical social worker may also intermittently intervene to address emergent psychosocial issues to maximize the effective/efficient use of the APS and healthcare resources. This position includes phone/fax contact with other mental health facilities and collaborative discussion with outside hospitals to address barriers to placement. Additionally, in this role one would also arrange Partial Hospitalization and urgent outpatient follow up appointments when indicated.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Ensure timely disposition of patients from the APS. Disposition includes bed-finding which involves: 1) contacting the patient’s insurance to ascertain contracted facilities and to get prior-approval, and 2) contacting psychiatric hospitals (or other resources) for bed availability, and to relay patient needs and clinical information. In cases where placement may not be necessary, the Clinical Care Coordinator finds and refers patients to appropriate community resources. Advocate on behalf of patients and their families to gain access to services and resources.
• Advocate on behalf of patients and their families to gain access to services and resources
• Facilitate the appropriate and efficient use of hospital and community resources.
• Participate in escalation procedures with insurance carriers and the Department of Mental Health when necessary for patients boarding in the emergency department awaiting placement.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including but not limited to occasional patient assessments when volumes dictate.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate and consult with patients, families, professionals, and providers inside and outside of MGH to develop and implement pre-admission, inpatient, post hospital, and outpatient care.
• Refer to and collaborate with interdepartmental specialists and programs, outside agencies (including BEST team), facilities, payers, and other relevant community resources.