Assessment Clinician, Peace Hospital Lexington Market

Position: Assessment Clinician, Peace Hospital Lexington Market, Hybrid Role
Primary

Location:

Peace - Lexington Address:1 Saint Joseph Drive Lexington, KY 40504

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Job Description

Summary:

About UofL Health:

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with five hospitals, four medical centers, nearly 200 physician practice locations, more than 700 providers, the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute and Brown Cancer Center.

With more than 12,000 team members—physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly skilled health care professionals—UofL Health is focused on one mission: delivering patient-centered care to each and every patient each and every day.

Job Description:

Position Summary and Purpose The Behavioral Health Assessment and Outreach Clinician performs comprehensive behavioral health and substance use evaluations, determines provisional diagnoses, coordinates level-of-care (LOC) expectations with physicians and care teams, and conducts insurance pre-certifications. This role also builds and maintains strong relationships with referral sources across the region—conducting community outreach, monitoring referral trends, and resolving concerns—to improve access, streamline intake, and drive appropriate volume to UofL Health behavioral health services.

As qualified by education, experience, and competence, Assessment/Referral Center Clinicians may be recognized under EMTALA policy as Qualified Medical Persons (QMPs) to conduct emergency behavioral health and substance use screening exams.

Essential Functions:

1. Evaluate individuals seeking behavioral health/substance use treatment; determine provisional diagnosis and discuss treatment recommendations with patients, families, and medical providers.
2. Coordinate LOC expectations with physicians, the Assessment Referral Center, patient care units, and external agencies; present clinical information to medical providers and collaborate with nursing on medical needs and appropriate level of care.
3. Conduct assessments remotely via telehealth and/or on-site at local hospitals and community sites; provide assessment services across pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations as needed.
4. Perform insurance prior authorizations/pre-certifications and support intake for admitted patients.
5. Initiate and maintain structured face-to-face contacts with referral sources (e.g., hospitals/EDs, clinics, schools, community agencies) across the assigned region to promote services and facilitate smooth referral workflows.
6. Review referral source data, track trends and conversion patterns, and provide feedback to improve access and service responsiveness.
7. Process and help resolve referral source concerns/complaints in partnership with leadership; identify service enhancements that strengthen the referral experience.
8. Maintain proficiency in legal and regulatory processes relevant to assessment and admission (e.g., voluntary status, EMTALA, Mental Inquest Warrant) and uphold HIPAA privacy/security at all times.
9. Participate in department meetings, complete required trainings/competencies (e.g., BLS, Safe Crisis Management), and support continuous improvement.
10. Demonstrate professional image, customer service excellence, and alignment to UofL Health values; comply with organizational policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional

Job Description:

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, Licensure and Certification)

Education:

Master’s degree in social work, counseling/clinical psychology, marriage & family therapy, mental health counseling, or closely related field required.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years in a behavioral health setting (assessment/diagnostic, crisis intervention, or closely related),…