Mental Health Intake Specialist, Boynton Health

Location:

Twin Cities

The Mental Health Intake Specialist at Boynton Health, (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). provides mental health screening, assessment, triage, crisis intervention, care coordination, and referral services to University of Minnesota students eligible for Boynton Health services. Using motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed approaches, the position assesses presenting concerns, behavioral health symptoms, functional impairment, subjective distress, safety risks, strengths, and available resources to determine appropriate next steps and service recommendations.

The Mental Health Intake Specialist collaborates with therapists, prescribers, case managers, medical providers, and campus and community partners to connect students with appropriate mental health, health care, and psychosocial resources. The position also provides brief supportive interventions, psychoeducation, and resource navigation within its authorized scope of practice.

Work is performed under moderate supervision and is guided by established clinical procedures, professional standards, applicable laws, and Boynton Health policies. The position exercises professional judgment in addressing moderately complex clinical and operational concerns using established assessment, consultation, escalation, and referral protocols.

• Use motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed approaches to engage students, clarify presenting concerns, and identify needs, strengths, and goals.
• Conduct comprehensive intake interviews and collect relevant social, developmental, behavioral health, medical, and treatment history.
• Assess the nature, severity, duration, and functional impact of behavioral health concerns, including subjective distress, safety risks, protective factors, strengths, and available resources.
• Review available mental health and medical records and obtain additional information or releases when appropriate.
• Conduct 10-20 minute phone screenings to determine eligibility for the mental health clinic's brief, goal-oriented therapy model and other services and recommend appropriate next steps based on assessed needs, student preferences, available resources, and established Boynton Health procedures.
• Identify urgent or emergent concerns, including potential risk of harm to self or others, and initiate established crisis response, consultation, safety-planning, and escalation procedures.
• Provide crisis prevention, brief intervention, stabilization support, and resource navigation within the authorized scope of the position.
• Recommend and facilitate access to appropriate services, including psychotherapy, psychiatry, primary care, case management, group services, higher levels of care, and campus or community resources.
• Consult with supervisors or designated clinicians regarding complex, high-risk, or uncertain cases.
• Communicate disposition decisions, relevant clinical information, safety concerns, and recommendations to appropriate members of the care team in a timely manner.

• Provide brief supportive interventions, psychoeducation, resource navigation, and problem-solving assistance within the employee's education, training, credentials, and authorized scope of practice.
• Assess psychosocial concerns and social determinants of health that may affect a student's well-being or ability to access care.
• Help students identify practical next steps and connect with appropriate mental health, medical, social service, academic, and community resources.
• Coordinate transitions to internal and external providers, including services for students who need a different or higher level of care.
• Follow up with students, providers, and referral resources as appropriate to support continuity of care.
• Support students in addressing barriers to accessing recommended services.
• Provide services using culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and student-centered practices.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and work within applicable legal, ethical, professional, and organizational standards.

• Serve as an active member of the Mental Health Clinic Access Team and participate in team consultation, case review, and care coordination.
• Collaborate with therapists, prescribers, case managers, medical providers, and other Boynton Health staff to support coordinated student care.
• Provide…