Department/Unit: HBD - Aids Program Work Shift: Day (United States of America) Master’s degree and licensure in Social Work, Counseling/Psychology, or related field required. One to three years documented experience in the provision of case management and/or counseling services to medically compromised patient population, familiarity with DSM 5, community mental health resources and ability to work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team setting required. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:  Provide screening, intake and brief mental health (MH) needs assessment for all patients referred by members of the DHIVM healthcare team. Formal cognitive assessment may also be needed.  Based on needs assessment and availability of services, develop mental health referral plan and initiate mental health referral.  Complete referral paperwork, including consents for release of HIV and mental health information for MH service providers, both internal and external  Contact MH service provider, as needed, to facilitate referral process  Follow up referrals through patient, other healthcare team members, and/or mental health providers to ensure transition to mental health services  Develop, implement, and update service plan for patients receiving MH care coordination services.  Obtain and maintain consents for release of HIV and Mental Health information.  Contact external MH providers annually and as needed to update internal records, exchange information, and coordinate care  Assist with removing barriers and facilitating access to mental health care  Provide crisis intervention services, including de-escalation techniques, to patients in emotional crisis  Serve as consultant to staff regarding communication, boundaries, and difficult emotional situations with patients  Assist Mental Health Program staff with development and maintenance of mental health program information tools (brochures, resource lists, bulletin boards, etc)  Provide reengagement services/ care coordination follow up to patients who have fallen out of mental health care, both internally and externally  Monitor psychiatrist caseload, ensuring engagement efforts for patients who have lapsed in care, and program closure as needed.  Participate in routine care coordination and case conference meetings and other meetings as warranted MH Referral Specialist Job Description Rev 1.2019 2 of 3  Manage mental health program waiting list for counseling or psychiatric services  Facilitate support and educational groups for patients and/or their family members as needed.  Participate in quality improvement activities within the Mental Health Program and other Division of HIV Medicine Programs  Provide education to patients/families to help them cope with illness and promote wellness  Participation in mental health provider community meetings  Utilize and continuously update Excel spreadsheet and maintain data to monitor referral status, program enrollment, program closure, and other data regarding patients receiving mental health services  Carry out responsibilities in accordance with AMC and DHIVM policies as well as NYS AIDS Institute MH standards of Care.  Other duties as assigned by the Manager of Client Services Knowledge and Skills  Competence and knowledge in specialty area  Effective interpersonal skills  Ability to provide continuous, comprehensive mental health care coordination  Excellent communication skills  Understanding of the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation process essential to providing quality patient services Quality of Work  Documents appropriate patient histories, findings, and plan of care in a clear and concise manner using both AIRS (AIDS Institute Reporting System) and the medical record  Documents patient service activities in AIRS and the medical record  Facilitates process of ethical decision-making in-patient care Interpersonal Relations  Facilitates communication and problem resolution among members of the health care team and the mental health program staff.  Collaborates with members of the health care team to facilitate goal achievement for specific patient population  Works as a team member to improve patient care outcomes  Serves as a spokesperson for the Medical Center when interacting with other professionals, patients/families and the public Work Practices  Complies with organization and Human Resources policies and procedures as presented in orientation and contained in the Employee Manual, Patient Bill of Rights and as supplemented by departmental policy  Meets institutional standards for own education, health monitoring and work practices MH Referral Specialist Job Description Rev 1.2019 3 of 3 REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to handle high levels of stress The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center! Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer. This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that: Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification. Albany Med is the centerpiece of medicine, research, and medical education in New York’s Capital Region and is the area's largest private employer with more than 10,000 employees. Albany Med offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of roles in both patient care and administration. We value all our staff members and offer outstanding employee benefits including: Excellent health care coverage with lower copays at most Albany Med providers. A wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing Anchored in the state’s historic capital city, Albany Med offers a full range outpatient and inpatient care and is home to the region’s largest hospital, only Level 1 trauma center, and only children’s hospital. The downtown campus also offers opportunities at Albany Medical College. Albany Med partners with Columbia Memorial Health, Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital to form the Albany Med Health System, serving more than three million people over 25 counties.