Internal Title: Behavioral Health Officer 

• The social worker assigned to the position of Behavioral Health Assignment Officer (BHAO) will be the primary evaluator of patients referred for psychiatric assessment in the emergency department based on presenting behavioral health needs and on the acute inpatient units for patients identified by the hospital as having a possible need for psychiatric admission. 
• The BHAO is responsible for providing psychiatric evaluations, triage and brief crisis interventions including suicide risk assessment and safe disposition related to behavioral health needs.
• The BHAO is also responsible for coordinating with hospital and community providers to ensure adequate communication and facilitation of patient care including appropriate mental health, substance use and primary care follow up as appropriate.
• Administering rating scales and collecting patient reported outcomes measures for patients in the Hospital ED or inpatient units when clinically appropriate is another expectation of the BHAO’s role.
• The BHAO is expected to discuss cases by phone with the psychiatric consultant whenever there is a perceived need for a psychiatric transfer or admission as well as when the BHAO or medical provider have any questions or concerns about a patient or a situation.

Qualifications: (Licenses, Certifications)

• Required LMSW in NYS

Education:

• Required: MSW from an accredited social work graduate program.
• Required: They must be licensed by the State of New York (LMSW/LCSW/ LCSW-R) and demonstrate competency in providing cognitive and behavioral interventions within an emergency department or inpatient setting.

Experience:

• Required: Internship/work experience in the mental health setting providing suicide risk assessments & safety planning
• Preferred: At least 2-3 years of experience in a Psychiatric Emergency Room or Inpatient Setting.

Pay Range: $30.00 - $40.00

Starting Pay: Based on Experience 

Thompson Health is an EOE encouraging women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.