Lead Psychiatric Crisis Specialist

Posted:
1/7/2026, 10:13:12 PM

Location(s):
New York, United States ⋅ New York, New York, United States

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary

                    

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day.

                        

We all have the power to help, heal and change lives — beginning with our own. That’s the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

                                    

Job Title

Lead Psychiatric Crisis Specialist

                        

Location

Cleveland

                    

Facility

Lutheran Hospital

                     

Department

Reg Hosp Behavioral Intake-Regional Hospital Administration

                      

Job Code

D99971

                     

Shift

Nights

                       

Schedule

9:00pm-7:30am

                       

Job Summary

Psychiatric Crisis Specialists are members of the Behavioral Health Intake team responsible for the through put of all behavioral health patients in the participating Cleveland Clinic System Emergency Departments and Hospitals. The Lead Psychiatric Crisis Specialist maintains oversight of the Specialist and maintains awareness of cases.

                         

Job Details

Responsibilities:

  • Maintains awareness of all case referrals and admissions, the status of admissions, medical clearance issues, unit census, bed availability, unit acuity and safety concerns, insurance issues, admission status recommendations, and any case individual needs or other related case transfer or disposition issues for the behavioral health units at all participating EDs, hospitals, and behavioral health units of the Regional Behavioral Health Service Line.
  • Communicates via various reporting methods status of patient cases, unit acuity, bed census and availability, etc. to various enterprise stakeholders at multiple points each day for transparency and problem solving in providing patient care.
  • Assigns cases and manages work flow for all Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialists on duty in the main office hub or in any participating regional emergency department or hospital site. Delegates tasks and assignments to employees according to their ability and within the scope of their job descriptions.
  • Provides guidance and support to the Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialist staff with problem solving, crisis intervention, procedural issues, advocacy, and resource knowledge. Assists with any needed activation of calls adhering to the established chain of authority for issues that cannot be resolved in the initial, local level.
  • Actively seeks opportunities for the highest utilization of bed management and advocates with behavioral health unit nursing leadership on behalf of placing patients safely.
  • Provides back up support to the department in times of staffing shortages, increased volume, and on-call rotation to assist with afterhours problem solving. Additionally, provides input to the Department Manager regarding department investigation following the Just Culture model and in offering feedback for issues that may relate to corrective action and performance evaluations.
  • Serves on committee and huddle calls regarding process improvement activities and patient through put initiatives. May serve on other activities as assigned.
  • Updates communications with all on-duty Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Specialists regarding unit bed availability, acuity, physician on-call, and any other related work process needs.
  • Involves self in professional development opportunities.
  • Acts as a role model/mentor.
  • Other duties as assigned.

And may perform any and all duties of the Psychiatric Crisis Specialist

  • Completes comprehensive mental status, psychosocial, risk, and chemical use assessments. Identifies patient crisis needs. Participates in on-going assessment and care plan recommendations for patients with extended time awaiting dispositions.
  • Provides crisis intervention services using a therapeutic intervention, which is based on patient centered outcomes, and standards of care, that are based on current research and evidence based practice.
  • Supplies information to the medical team for consideration of a differential diagnosis.
  • Pursues on-going education in behavioral health topics.
  • Recognizes significant changes in patient condition and responds appropriately.
  • Navigates insurance verification and pre-certification processes for behavioral health carve-outs.
  • Provides psycho-education to family and significant others of patients, as well as other co-working caregivers about behavioral health, de-escalation, and/or other related topics to assist in the patient’s current plan of care.
  • Involves the patient/family (or designee) and other current providers in developing a plan of care individualized to patient cultural, religious, and educational needs.
  • Collaborates with multidisciplinary team in the formulation of an individualized plan of care. Develops appropriate patient goals for identified problems.
  • Serves as a patient advocate.
  • Process referred cases to appropriate disposition; which may include inpatient placement or assistance with community wrap around services for a successful discharge plan.
  • Acts with integrity in placing charge capture for crisis intervention services provided and documenting all requirements for such services provided.
  • Communicates information regarding patient plan of care, current outcomes, and acuity at end of shift report.
  • Performs routine administrative office functions, as needed to facilitate case work processes.
  • Assists in orientation of new Behavioral Health Intake team staff or other hospital personnel.
  • Incorporates the use of informatics tools, principals, theories, and practices in the safe and effective delivery of care.
  • Works effectively to create and maintain a positive work environment.
  • Incorporates patient safety goals in daily practice.
  • Completes all documentation and records related to patient care.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education:

  • BA, BS, MA, or MS in a healthcare profession, MEd, or an RN
  • Master’s Degree preferred

Languages:

  • Language required  - English
  • Language preferred – any secondary language skills

Certifications:

  • Certifications required - Licensed Social Worker [LSW], Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC], Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III [LCDC-III], or Registered Nurse [RN]
  • Certifications preferred - Licensed Independent Social Worker [LISW], Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation [LISW-S], Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor [LPCC], Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Designation [LPCC-S]

Complexity of Work:

  • Ability to multi-task and to assess and prioritize work
  • Critical thinking
  • Decisive judgement
  • Competency of patient populations [child/adolescent, adult, geriatric], diversity, social determinants of health, community resources, Ohio Revised Code, DSM/ICD, mental illness, chemical use/abuse, basic medical clearance, healthcare law, other competencies as assigned
  • Ability to work in stressful environments and, at times, volatile situations with professionalism
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a group and interdisciplinary team with a collaborative mindset
  • Self-regulation and ability to de-escalate others
  • Ability to communicate across various comprehension levels; young child to technical professional
  • Strong attention to detail in work process and documentation
  • Possession of resources for all communities and counties served by Cleveland Clinic facilities
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment
  • Quality improvement mindset

Work Experience:

  • Experience required -  Two years work experience
  • At least one year in a psychiatric clinical setting

Physical Requirements:

  • Requires Corrected hearing and vision to normal range
  • Some positions may be more sedentary work
  • Some positions may be more light work
  • Require full range of motion, eye-hand coordination
  • Require standing or walking for extensive periods of time
  • Require some exposure to communicable disease or bodily fluids

Personal Protective Equipment:

  • Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required

                       

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility. 

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster

                  

Cleveland Clinic Health System is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women / Minorities / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities