Interim Admissions Coordinator

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?

Join us - and work with purpose!

POSITION BENEFITS

• Team-oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach
• Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse Environment
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization
• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
• Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
• Wellness Programs
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts For Those Pursuing a Higher Education
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Recognition Program
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• May Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations

SUMMARY
The Interim Admissions Coordinator is responsible for screening requests for admission to one of the Intensive Clinical Services (PHP, IOP, IFS, and RTC, and Academy) at the San Diego Center for Children (SDCC) and initiating in-depth studies of those applicants. This position is responsible for determining appropriateness for admission and coordinating admission to the most appropriate program within the Center’s array of services or facilitating contact with a more appropriate provider. Other duties include coordination of planned discharges to other programs or transfers within the array of services at the Center and liaison with insurance companies. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen and document all referrals and inquiries for admission to Intensive Clinical programs.
• Gather and review reports (with signed release of information) from referring agencies and conduct interviews as part of the comprehensive screening process.
• Provide general orientation of child and family to the Intensive Clinical programs by providing tours, family handbooks, and answering questions; or refer to the appropriate staff member when indicated to ensure potential clients and their families feel welcome and informed.
• Maintain knowledge of mental health and academic services in San Diego and refer inappropriate cases to other facilities or providers as needed.
• Maintain records on all referrals and dispositions and maintain a wait list when necessary.
• Ensure all offers of admission have been approved by the Program Manager and meet all contract requirements.
• Ensure admissions to various programs are consistent with regulatory requirements, contract requirements, and the policies and procedures of San Diego Center for Children.
• Ensure appropriate authorizations are requested and obtained for admission as consistent with contract requirements and insurance requirements when indicated.
• Communicate with program staff pertinent information for a smooth transition into the identified.
• Establish and maintain excellent collaborative relationships with family members, caregivers, referral sources, school districts and any other agency or person affiliated with the intake and admissions process.
• Participate in weekly census meeting to report on status of open referrals, upcoming discharges and other pertinent information (e.g. referral sources).
• Travel and represent the Center in promoting community relations through educational presentations or outreach programs in the community and areas in which we provide treatment services.
• Work effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, background, and motivation.
• Immediately report any safety concerns.
• Perform special projects, assignments and other related duties as assigned.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

ON THE JOB MANDATORY ONGOING CERTIFICATION TRAINING

• Residential Counselor Training
• CPR and First Aid
• S.P.A. certification
• False Claims
• HIPAA
• Safety

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions 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 stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to run, walk, sit and drive a vehicle. The employee must be able to move and/or lift a child when clinically necessary and must be able to follow a child that AWOLs in a walking or running pace. Applying SPA restraint techniques can involve lifting the child, holding the child down in a standing, sitting or ground level manner, as well separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety for the clients and staff. Due to the emotional instability of the clients the employee may be subjected to kicking, hitting, punching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:
• Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization,
• Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect,
• Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree in related mental health field
• 1 year experience working in mental health field.
• Strong written, organization, and communication skills
• Customer services skills

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)
• Standard First Aid
• Safe Positive Approaches (S.P.A.)