The Central Intake Clinician responds to inquiry call and/or emails/faxes. Conducts initial intake assessments, provides community referrals when appropriate, and coordinate admissions processes. Handles all aspects of managing the patient flow from the initial inquiry, assessment, documentation, internal and external communication and coordinates admission or referral to the appropriate level of care based on the patient's clinical presentation. Complies with Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions:

Responds to inquiry calls, completes inquiry forms accurately, completes assessments in a timely manner and documents follow up calls made regarding pending assessments. Makes every effort to honors all patient facility preference requests. Inputs all initial referral requests into EMR system to initiate insurance verification process to be completed on all perspective inquiries. Conducts phone assessments, completes Intake Screening and Assessment Part 1 thoroughly on all appropriate accepted patients. Uploads all pertinent referral documentation into document storage in EMR system. Refers patients who do not meet criteria for facility programs to appropriate community resources. Refers all patients that meet outpatient criteria to the nearest outpatient program available to them. Communicates with patients, families, direct referral sources, and internal Oceans personnel in professional manner sensitive to their age, disability and cultural needs. Delivers patient services in a respectful manner which promotes dignity and patient satisfaction. Identifies safety needs including ability to detect possible signs of abuse and neglect and report same to Supervisor on duty. Contacts emergency services on behalf of patients in crisis when necessary for wellness check, while keeping the patient engaged on the phone until emergency services have arrived, and patient is safe. Identifies special mobility and equipment needs of patients. Identifies need for interpreter services, when necessary, prior to admission and notifies accepting facilities of need. Assess and interprets age and disability needs to assess level of care needed and place patient at nearest appropriate facility that can accommodate the patient's needs. Communicates with providers in a professional manner to include all pertinent information regarding the patient's presentation for provider to determine acceptance or denial based on criteria provided. Communicates with patients and families in a manner sensitive to their age, disability and cultural needs and involves families of minors or significant others in decision making related to treatment as appropriate. Maintains real time progress of referrals and updates facilities, as necessary. Requests assistance from the facility Clinical Liaisons when necessary to obtain further collateral information from referral source. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.