Position: Intake Triage Clinician

Program Support/Administrative, Full-time, in-office

Immediate Report: Homecoming Manager/Program Director

Job Supervision Duty: None

About Us

Fathers’ UpLift is the country’s first mental health and substance abuse treatment facility for fathers and families, helping fathers become and remain emotionally stable for their children. Fathers’ UpLift uses peer coaching, father-child therapy, training, youth programs, and support for incarcerated and recently released fathers to honor and rehabilitate the relationship between thousands of fathers and families in the Boston area. In their outpatient clinic, over 800 fathers and families receive mental health services from clinicians trained in trauma who reflect the population being served. Outside of the clinic, Fathers’ UpLift partners with community centers, substance abuse programs, and other agencies to build a holistic approach to helping fathers rebuild their lives and their relationship with their families.

Role Summary

The Intake Triage Clinician is responsible for providing high-quality clinical services to clients who are seeking services at our clinics and providing immediate access to peer support for clients in immediate need. The clinician ensures that urgent needs are assessed, and that the client is referred to appropriate follow-up services within the clinic, higher or lateral care — using superior assessment, diagnostic and triage skills. The ideal candidate must posses’ communication skills, active listening, assessment and problem-solving skills, and quick thinking and analysis. Triage will be part of the intake team supporting general care processes alongside the providers.

Essential Responsibilities

The following list of duties is intended only to describe the various types of work that may be performed and the level of the assignment’s technical complexity and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties. The omission of a specific duty statement does not exclude it from the position if the work is consistent with the classification concept or is similar or closely related to another duty statement. 

• Conduct intake/assessment sessions with clients referred by clinic leaders or central intake to ensure clients with urgent issues are seen within required timeframes. Services may be delivered via telehealth or peer support groups
• Conducts a telephonic triage of requests for initial appointments which will involve but not limited to, a brief lethality assessment, description of the presenting problem, and level of care determination
• Conduct brief assessments and crisis intervention services as needed to help stabilize clients and gather data required for therapy or coaching services & educate the client about the treatment/rehabilitation processes and procedures as well as what to expect as a client at FUL
• Provide short term/brief therapy as needed
• Auditing files/Support at weekly Peer Support Meetings
• Escalate client needs to clinic directors for immediate placement where clinically indicated
• Collect data needed to measure client baseline and to promote the use of outcomes-driven care
• Participate in clinical meetings to present cases, support waitlist management activities, etc.
• Report concerns regarding ethics or compliance to Clinic Director & Director of Operations
• Evaluates and assesses a patient’s health care needs based on patient’s signs and symptoms utilizing established triage protocols and guidelines
• Obtains appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendations for specific patient health care needs
• Accurately documents symptoms/complaints, advice provided and patient/caller response
• Follows policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure consistency and departmental effectiveness as well as improve health care outcomes of patients/callers and their access to appropriate health care
• Coordinate and schedule same-day and intakes on high-risk calls
• Monitor patient flow in the clinic; ensure that patients receive all recommended services in a
  timely manner.
• Assist providers with special procedures as needed
• Weekly Reports on Triage systems
• Provide patient education: Clinical Peer Support – Develop excellent knowledge of clinical parameters for all division providers to ensure appropriate triage
• Develop excellent knowledge of outside referral points (i.e., higher/lateral care) for appropriate triage
• Assist patients through initial intake process by obtaining clinical and demographic information
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities as assigned by direct supervisor

Ideal Qualifications/Experience

• Degree: Master of Social Work or Master in Psychology (in the process of obtaining licensure within 1 year of employment)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Must be computer literate (working knowledge of word processing, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Self-motivated, good organizational and interpersonal skills, detail-oriented, ability to multitask, and prioritize.
• Ability to ensure the confidentiality of fathers, youth, and families
• Enthusiasm for working with fathers, youth, and families
• Ability to work with high pressured callers and potential clients
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Assessment and problem-solving skills
• Motivational interviewing skills
• Appropriate patient diagnosing
• Excellent team building skills and participation
• Obtaining voluntary Triage certification post hire