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Position Title: Emergency Screening Coordinator
Location: Lake City, FL
Salary: $17.94|hour | non-exempt

Why Choose Meridian?

For over 50 years, Meridian Healthcare has been a trusted provider of compassionate care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With service centers across 13 counties in North Central Florida, we are committed to transforming lives and communities from the inside out.

We live by our core values: Hope, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, and Teamwork (H.E.A.R.T.). If these resonate with you, we invite you to become part of our dedicated and mission-driven team.

About the Role

Position Summary:
This position is responsible for providing great client care as the first contact for persons seeking inpatient Crisis Stabilization and Detox Services and assists throughout the admission process. Provision of direct client care and interaction under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Screening with significant training oversight by the Director of Access Center. Position requires heavy customer contact, teamwork skills, diligence in documentation, as well as independent critical thinking to manage sometimes multiple customer needs at the same time.  This position has potential for exposure to blood and body fluids. 

What We're Looking For

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, health administration or related field from an established college or university, preferred.
• or AA degree or certification as a Medical/Nursing Assistant 3 years of experience in related field.
• High school Diploma 5 years of recent acute, inpatient mental health, or similar crisis related experience.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Must attend mandatory Emergency Screening meetings held once a month and CSU meetings as requested.

• Greets clients in the screening area: Inventories personal effects and screens for contraband. Performs breath alcohol testing and vital signs. Obtains urine for on-site drug screen. Assures client confidentiality while obtaining their vital signs including weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and height for children.  Notifies RN on duty of readings outside of identified parameters. Applies wristband identification. Uses digital camera to provide photo identification. Initiates "Flow Sheet" documentation.  Enters the client's name and key number on all necessary forms. Opens screening episode in electronic health record, verifies payer eligibility, process any Baker Act forms within established timelines. 
• Responsible for efficient workflow of reception: Ensures client waiting time is kept at a minimum.  Tracks and reports time from door to check in to screening start time.  Maintains Emergency Screening bed board.  
• Assists with maintaining a safe environment:  Works with Emergency Screeners to monitor and manage waiting room.  Provides for the care and custody of those patients in the Emergency Screening area including offering snacks, bathroom breaks, hygiene supplies as needed, and keeping waiting areas clean. Provides appropriate support and guidance to coworkers and seeks appropriate direction.
• Facilitates discharge from Emergency Screening: check for d/c order, return property, & ensure accuracy, call for drivers and track driver/begin/end time of transports, close out admission from ES; Ensures proper d/c in system, accurate completion of d/c paperwork, and client is aware of any d/c follow up appointment.  May assist in conducting follow-up reminders for post-inpatient appointments.
• Assists in completion of observation and documentation conducts 15-minute client checks and documents client observations using "Flow Sheet". Notifies Emergency Screeners of any verbal interaction or observations which may be related to client self-harm or harm to others or concerns for potential abuse of a child, partner, or elder.
• Support of ongoing CSU activities:  Manages visitor check-in of approved visitors. Willing to be an active participant in client restraints, as needed.

Other Duties/Responsibilities:

• Customer Service:  Greets clients as soon as possible after check-in and provides welcoming atmosphere. Provides confidentiality by modulating voice during vital signs and other documentation. When not engaged in work-related tasks or activities, keeps personal conversation quiet to avoid being misinterpreted by nearby clients. Treats all customers - clients, staff, other departments - with courtesy. When answering the phone, identifies the unit and their name (first name only). Utilizing therapeutic communication techniques, attempts to address client concerns in a timely fashion, engages co-workers as needed and reports all client concerns to the Emergency Screeners. 
• Communication:  Documents clearly and effectively utilizing appropriate forms. Seeks information as needed.  Attends staff meetings.  Attendance at staff meetings is expected and paid for.  If unable to attend in person, review of minutes is expected.  Attendance at fewer than one-half of the meetings scheduled is subject to review by the Director of Emergency Screening. Coordinates break with Emergency Screeners and/or other staff members as appropriate. Requests time off with required notice and notify the Supervisor and/or Staffing Department as soon as possible if calling off for illness or emergency and adheres to the Absenteeism/Tardy Policy. 
• Teamwork:  Orients and mentors new staff members as needed and as appropriate. Considerate of other team members.  Channels questions, suggestions, and constructive criticism appropriately.  Works with the team to identify opportunities for improvement. Flexible and adapts well to change.  Cross-department work is common and a spirit of cooperation is needed.
• Staff is required to stay over shift until appropriate and sufficient staff has arrived.  At times, in circumstances of staff callouts, increased client acuity or supervisor requests, staff is required to stay until dismissed by Staffing Department or Administrator on call.

For information on Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and screening requirements, visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

Meridian is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.