Clinical Care Consultant

• Aug 2022 - Present

Behavioral Health Screener, Case Manager & Admissions Coordinator

• Sep 2018 - Present

Delivered professional & confidential psychiatric emergency screening to adults, adolescents and children in the ED, provided psycho education and counseling for chemical dependency and relapse prevention for chemically dependent & MICA clients & provided screening/intake services to substance abuse rehab program applicants. Delivered professional & confidential psychiatric emergency screening to adults, adolescents and children in the ED, provided psycho education and counseling for chemical dependency and relapse prevention for chemically dependent & MICA clients & provided screening/intake services to substance abuse rehab program applicants.

Senior Prior Authorization Clinician

• Sep 2015 - Sep 2018

(Remote)Determines appropriate level of care related to mental health and substance use treatment for members based on Beacon’s medical necessity criteria.Pre authorizes treatment for medical necessity for mental health and substance abuse problems according to clinical information given by providers and internal criteria for medical necessity and appropriateness of care.Provides telephone triage and crisis intervention to callers.Logs into ACD system for phone coverage of the clinical queue, in a call center environment.Interacts with Physician Advisors to discuss clinical/authorization questions and concerns regarding specific cases.Interacts with providers, crisis teams and facilities in a professional, respectful manner that facilitates the pre authorization process.Proposes alternative plans of treatment when requests for services do not meet medical necessity criteria.Complies with Beacon’s standards for documentation of clinical information, clinical contacts and authorization of care.Complies with regulatory standards and turn-around times.Maintains standard of departments productivity levels.Assists with NCQA, URAC and other QI initiatives.

Behavioral Health Screener

• Nov 2014 - Sep 2015

Deliver professional & confidential emergency screening to adults, adolescents and children in the ED. Provide psychiatric emergency screening in BSCH Emergency Department requesting or requiring psychiatric evaluation.Responsible for obtaining insurance approval by providing clinical assessments for inpatient behavioral health treatment, making sure that correct legal papers are completed and prepare other documentation as necessary. Maintain administrative records related to emergency evaluations. Collaborate with ED physician and other staff members, psychiatrist on-call, and Behavioral Health inpatient units; frequent contact with: law enforcement personnel, EMS, BSCH security, ED RN staff, and family members.Responsible to assist psychiatrist in addressing psychiatric consults on medical floors that include initial screening and follow-up. Work closely with the case manager in discharge planning and making sure each patient receives proper psychiatric care. Responsible to assist Mental Health Unit and Drug & Alcohol / Detox Unit in their daily activities.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

• Dec 2013 - Nov 2014

Deliver professional, confidential, person-centered counseling to adults via secured online messages. Provide guidance and advice for clients experiencing problems in relationships, work or life via secured online chat sessions.Conducted client assessments and recommend appropriate coping strategies. Provide referral assistance to clients seeking additional services. Update and maintained detailed client records to ensure accurate documentation & confidentiality. Deliver professional, confidential, person-centered counseling to adults via secured online messages. Provide guidance and advice for clients experiencing problems in relationships, work or life via secured online chat sessions.Conducted client assessments and recommend appropriate coping strategies. Provide referral assistance to clients seeking additional services. Update and maintained detailed client records to ensure accurate documentation & confidentiality.

Director of Operations

• Aug 2004 - May 2014

Directed daily operations, staff performance, and financial functions in fast-paced business setting. Trained, recruited and hired, mentored, directed staff of four multidisciplinary team members.Strengthened relationships with clients through professional, responsive communications. Facilitated invoicing, credit and collections, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Directed daily operations, staff performance, and financial functions in fast-paced business setting. Trained, recruited and hired, mentored, directed staff of four multidisciplinary team members.Strengthened relationships with clients through professional, responsive communications. Facilitated invoicing, credit and collections, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

Crisis Counselor - Project Hope

• Nov 2012 - May 2013

Delivered professional, person-centered counseling to children and families in individual and group settings while providing supervision and leading a team of para-professional crisis counselors.Lead the team of crisis counselors to outreach and assist members of Rockland and Westchester communities to access resources and services after Hurricane SandyEnsured adequate and appropriate staffing and training while complying with federal, state, and local reporting requirements.Conducted fiscal tracking and monitoring.Served as a liaison to other disaster services agencies to ensure non-duplication of services.Organized outreach activities and guide outreach teams in planning and service delivery.Provided direct observation and supervision of crisis counselors to ensure appropriate service delivery.Provided brief crisis evidence-based counseling and crisis intervention to individuals and groups in line with OMH/agency standards. Conducted client assessments and recommended appropriate coping strategies.Provided referral assistance to clients seeking additional services. Updated and maintained detailed client records to ensure accurate documentation. Other duties as assigned.

Mental Health Counselor / Substance Abuse Counselor - Intern

• Jul 2010 - Nov 2012

Provided psycho education and counseling for chemical dependency and relapse prevention for chemically dependent, MICA and TBI clients. Performed interviews and participated in assessment screenings to assess client needs.Managed medication administration, including direct observation of clients during pass. Conducted detailed facility/safety runs and room checks for unsafe conditions. Provided psycho education and counseling for chemical dependency and relapse prevention for chemically dependent, MICA and TBI clients. Performed interviews and participated in assessment screenings to assess client needs.Managed medication administration, including direct observation of clients during pass. Conducted detailed facility/safety runs and room checks for unsafe conditions.

Mental Health Counselor / Rape Crisis Counselor - Intern

• Sep 2009 - Jun 2011

Facilitated crisis counseling to children and families in collaboration with nursing staff and police. Provided consistent individual counseling and goal-setting during client hospitalization. Delivered supportive care to clients calling crisis hotline.Recorded all pertinent information and prepared reports on each clients’ mental status. Facilitated crisis counseling to children and families in collaboration with nursing staff and police. Provided consistent individual counseling and goal-setting during client hospitalization. Delivered supportive care to clients calling crisis hotline.Recorded all pertinent information and prepared reports on each clients’ mental status.