Mental Health Transportation Specialist

Gulf Coast Center

Job Title: Mental Health Transportation Specialist

Program: Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center/EOU Diversion Program

SUMMARY

Gulf Coast Center is committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Gulf Coast Center (GCC) defines diversity broadly including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and age.

Primarily responsible for safe and efficient transportation of individuals recommended for admission to the Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center (GCMHWC) from GCC clinics, other service sites, and the community as requested by GCC staff. MH Transport Specialist will primarily represent transport services for the GCMHWC program but will also be available to assist other key service areas, including but not limited to, local emergency department, GCC's inpatient unit, and other hospitals in/out of the region as necessary. Will require regular interface with GCMHWC staff and other GCC staff as well as agencies external to the Center as appropriate. Cross trained to serve as back up to the front desk, Administrative Support Specialist, to assist with overflow work such as copying, filing, faxing, phone answering, timely data entry, verifying mental health insurance benefits, ordering supplies and tracking inventory, and reconciliation of invoices for payments and ensuring all charges are accurate. Responsible for providing other support services based on patient/program needs. Must be able to efficiently and accurately work within the Center's Electronic Health Record (SmartCare by Streamline) and other computer application systems. Routine work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with flexibility to meet program needs as requested by Nurse Manager. May require travel. May require irregular, on-call work hours based on program/client need. Must have current driver's license, reliable transportation and qualify for Center auto liability insurance coverage.

SUPERVISION:

• Requires direct supervision from Program Nurse Manager.

EDUCATION:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A high school diploma or GED and further coursework/vocations training in business/clerical activities is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with public/community is required.
• Two years paid experience in the behavioral health field is preferred. Experience with working with social service agencies in Galveston County is preferred.

LICENSE:

• Requires a valid Texas Driver's License.

ABILITY:

• Self motivated with good time management skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• General knowledge of local social service network.
• Ability to establish cooperative relationships with individuals with mental health diagnosis.
• Mature problem-solving approach to daily work.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team.
• Ability to accurately utilize internal messaging systems, email systems, and competently use SmartCare EHR and Microsoft Office application systems.

STATUS:

• Non-exempt under Fair Labor Standards Act.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Majority of work is in the community, transporting individuals within the Galveston County catchment area.
• Flex hours as required by the job may include overtime as necessary. May include weekend, holiday, or evening hours.
• Cell phone or other means of contact required during off hours.
• Occasional travel may be required to other GCC facilities.

JOB DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Daily Transportation Assignments (Essential):

• Responsible for safely transporting individuals to and from the GCMHWC to identified discharge placement site.
• Transport individuals in a timely and professional manner, ensuring a warm handoff.
• Voluntary transport of individuals recommended for admission to the GCMHWC from GCC clinics and other service sites and the community as requested by GCC staff.
• Transport of Crisis Respite individuals from GCMHWC to GCC service sites for appointments with clinic providers and return.
• Transport of Crisis Respite individuals to community appointments for social services, pharmacy, and medical.
• Transports of GCMHWC discharges to GCC services sites to facilitate continuity of care.
• Communicate daily with GCMHWC staff to receive number of transports for each day, obtain individual's name and destination location. Assure individual needing the discharge transport, has collected all personal belongings and discharge paperwork information for follow-up.
• When assisting with transports from GCC's inpatient unit, communicate with hospital liaisons and/or the Center's MH Administrative Support Services Manager, to receive number of transports for each day, obtain individual's name and destination location. Assure individual needing the transport, has collected all personal belongings and discharge paperwork information for follow-up.
• Participate in Random Moment Time Study if required.
• Must maintain a safe driving record.
• Serve as custodian of assigned vehicle. Responsible for performing preventative and scheduled maintenance according to Center's Vehicle Custodian Desk Procedure/Policy.
• Report any unsafe operating condition of assigned vehicle immediately according to the Vehicle Custodian Desk Procedure/Policy.
• Strict adherence to Cellphone Use Guidelines for use of personal and/or business cell phone during business hours as well as when on Center business or in a vehicle.

Back Up Coverage to Front Desk Operations and Clerical Assignments (Essential):

• Serves as relief coverage to front desk operations.
• Answer telephone calls promptly and in a courteous manner.
• Identify caller's needs, clarify information, and route messages based on call purpose.
• Greets and assists and/or redirects EOU and Crisis Respite visitors.
• As necessary, assures Confidentiality Affidavit is completed by all non-employees.
• Assist client and Officer's needs at intake admissions.
• Will receive incoming U.S. Postal mail and/or Center mail and route accordingly. U.S. mail should be stamped with date received.
• Complete payment requisitions on invoices received from contracted vendors/agencies and route to Center's Finance Department for processing payment.
• Assist Nurse Manger and various departments with copying, filing, faxing/scanning, and typing memos and letters as necessary.
• Assist with records management, which includes scanning paperwork into EHR. Assist with obtaining Medical Records requests and upload into EHR.
• As individuals are admitted, research EHR for demographics, diagnosis, and current appointments, verify insurance status.
• Verify Medicaid and Medicare coverage for current and potential clients.

Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Sensitivity, and Workplace Safety:

• Demonstrates an ability to implement trauma informed principles when working with clients, co-workers, and community partners.
• Demonstrates an ability to perform job tasks in an appropriate responsive, culturally sensitive manner, recognizing one's own biases.
• Work practices meet health and safety guidelines and requirements.

Trainings (Essential):

• Maintain as current all levels of trainings as directed by GCC.
• Participate in requested training to improve knowledge and performance level.
• Participate in weekly huddles with other members of work group.

Corporate Compliance/Rights (Essential):

• Strict adherence to the professional, ethical and legal requirements set forth in the Center's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.

Other Duties/Special Projects (Essential):

• Assist supervisor as requested to complete special projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.