Crisis/Intake Counselor

Job Title: Crisis/Intake Counselor

Department: Admissions / Utilization Review
Reports To: UR / Admissions Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time 12 hour shifts, 3-4 days per week, Shift work overnight
Location: Ascent Behavioral Hospital – Millcreek, UT

About Ascent Behavioral Hospital

At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we provide compassionate care, helping adolescents navigate challenges related to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in a supportive and safe environment. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to adolescents who are in need of our services. We uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and safety.

Position Summary

The Crisis/Intake Counselor plays a critical frontline role in the psychiatric hospital admission and discharge process. This position serves as an initial point of contact for individuals, families, and referral sources seeking psychiatric services. The Crisis Coordinator conducts mental health assessments, responds to crisis calls, supports verification of benefits (VOBs), and collaborates closely with clinical, nursing, utilization review, and discharge planning teams to ensure appropriate level-of-care determinations and smooth transitions into and out of treatment.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, organization, and the ability to engage effectively with individuals and families during periods of acute emotional distress. The Crisis Coordinator must be a licensed therapist and is expected to function with professionalism, empathy, and a clear understanding of psychiatric admissions and continuity-of-care processes (training provided).

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as a clinical contact for incoming admissions inquiries, crisis calls, and referrals.
• Conducts comprehensive mental health assessments to evaluate clinical presentation, safety risks, and appropriateness for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.
• Responds to individuals and families in crisis with professionalism and empathy, utilizing trauma-informed principles.
• Provides clear information to families and referral sources regarding services provided, admissions criteria, and next steps toward admission, as appropriate.
• Processes and supports insurance Verification of Benefits (VOBs) in collaboration with the UR/Admissions team.
• Collaborates with Utilization Review staff to support authorization, clinical documentation, and payer communication as needed.
• Coordinates closely with nursing, therapy, psychiatry, and leadership teams to support timely and appropriate admissions.
• Assists with discharge-related coordination by supporting referrals, continuity-of-care planning, and communication with outpatient providers, when appropriate.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Participates in interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure safe, ethical, and clinically appropriate patient placement decisions.
• Supports hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and Joint Commission standards related to admissions, documentation, and patient safety.

Essential Functions

• Performs clinical assessments and level-of-care recommendations for prospective patients.
• Manages a high volume of phone calls, emails, and referrals while maintaining organization and attention to detail.
• Communicates effectively with families, referral sources, payers, and internal hospital teams.
• Applies sound clinical judgment when assessing risk, assuring safety, and evaluating appropriateness for admission.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and hospital privacy standards.
• Supports the admissions-to-discharge continuum by facilitating smooth handoffs between departments.
• Navigates crisis situations calmly and professionally while supporting distressed individuals and families.

Core Competencies

• Clinical Judgment: Demonstrates sound assessment skills and appropriate level-of-care decision-making.
• Crisis Intervention: Effectively engages individuals and families during periods of emotional distress.
• Communication: Communicates clearly, compassionately, and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
• Organization & Time Management: Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced admissions environment.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with clinical, nursing, UR, and administrative teams.
• Customer/Family Focus: Builds trust and provides supportive guidance during high-stress situations.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing clinical, operational, and census-related demands.

Qualifications

Required:

• Current, active clinical licensure in the State of Utah (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, or equivalent).
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and families in crisis.
• Comfort with clinical assessments and admissions coordination.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.
  

Preferred:

• Prior experience in psychiatric hospital admissions, intake, or crisis assessment.
• Experience in behavioral health, inpatient psychiatric, and/or acute care settings.
• Familiarity with insurance verification, utilization review, and/or payer authorization processes.
• Knowledge of adolescent mental health and family systems.
  

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to sit and/or work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to manage emotionally demanding situations involving individuals in crisis.
• Work may involve high-volume phone communication and time-sensitive decision-making.

Benefits

Why Join Ascent Behavioral Hospital?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in adolescent mental health.
• Supportive, mission-driven culture with a focus on teamwork and growth.
• Competitive compensation and benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO).
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Clear career advancement pathways within the hospital system.
  

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to join a team dedicated to excellence in mental health care.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EEO Statement

Ascent Behavioral Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment is based on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the hospital.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Ascent Behavioral Hospital complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment where the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Ascent Behavioral Hospital employees to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge.