The Mental Health Evaluator completes a comprehensive assessment of patients presenting with psychiatric or mental health issues. This includes the initial and ongoing evaluation of current mental status, level of safety, and next steps for care. Synthesizes the data collected during the comprehensive assessment to identify problems, formulate goals, teaching plans, and outcomes. Implements the plan of care. The Mental Health Evaluator may begin, deliver, assign or delegate certain interventions within the plan of care for patients within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of health restoration, disease prevention, wellness, and promotion of mental health. Evaluates and reports patient outcomes and plans any follow-up care and referrals to appropriate resources that may be needed. Collects data for reporting during each shift.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Complete a comprehensive crisis and psychosocial assessment of patients presenting to the ED and throughout the hospital with psychiatric or mental health issues. This includes the initial and ongoing, extensive data collection.

• Synthesize the data collected during the comprehensive assessment to identify problems, formulate goals, teaching plans, and outcomes.

• Implement the plan of care. The Mental Health Evaluator may begin, deliver, assign or delegate certain interventions within the plan of care for patients within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of health restoration, disease prevention, wellness, and promotion of mental health.

• Evaluate and report patient outcomes and plans any follow-up care and referrals to appropriate resources that may be needed. Implement electronic referral systems as warranted.

• Collects and reports demographic data for reporting during each shift.

• Completes chart audits.

• Completes PHQ/GAD questionnaires and refers psychiatric consults as received.

• Completes follow up call to ensure aftercare.

• Job duties may be subject to change within scope of practice as programs evolve.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Registered Nurse (RN) or bachelor's degree in psychology, social work or another human services field.

• Must meet the minimum standards for Qualified Mental Health Professional-Community Services (QMHP-CS) credentials as outlined by Texas Administrative code which includes:

• A. having a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum number of hours that is equivalent to a major (as determined by the LMHA or MCO in accordance with §412.316(d) of this title (relating to Competency and Credentialing)) in psychology, social work, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, counseling, sociology, human growth and development, physician assistant, gerontology, special education, educational psychology, early childhood education, or early childhood intervention.

• Must obtain QMHP-CS within 6 months.

• Must complete Mental Health First Aid course within 3 months and complete 2 hours of mental health education annually.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual must be able to: ➢ Stand, walk, sit, stoop, reach, lift, see, speak and hear. Lifting is limited to 35 lbs. for clinical staff and to 50 lbs. for non-clinical staff. The individual must use an assisted-lift device or get another individual(s) to assist with the lift that is over these maximum limits.