Tri-City Healthcare District has been serving the North County region for almost 60 years and remains committed to providing high quality healthcare and community services for every individual we encounter regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status.

Our mission is to advance the health and wellness of the community we serve. In order to achieve our mission, we see, hear and listen to our front line healthcare workers, employees, medical staff and all community stakeholders in order to understand and meet our community’s needs.

Position Summary:

The Psychiatric Liaison (PL) is a licensed mental health professional who is responsible for performing psychiatric assessments throughout Tri-City Medical Center. Serves as the liaison between the hospital and providers in the community. The PL conducts assessments and coordinates for the safe admission, transfer, referral, or other appropriate disposition of patients according to their needs. The PL also serves as a liaison to the community and responds to law enforcement, friends, families, and others in the coordination of appropriate treatment for patients who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The PL is responsible for ensuring the appropriate placement for patients requiring admission or transfer. Patients not requiring inpatient services are assisted with appropriate outpatient referrals.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit-based safety and infection control requirements.
• Patient Assessment and Disposition
  • Thoroughly assesses the patient’s emotional and psychiatric needs, including gathering information from families or significant others.
  • Performs patient assessments on medical units upon referral and completes clinical documentation in accordance with hospital standards.
  • Collaborates with referring physicians, nurses, and social workers to determine requests for services and achieve satisfactory dispositions and transfers.
  • Consults with the on-call psychiatrist to determine the disposition of the patient.
  • Utilizes problem-solving techniques and sound clinical judgment when assessing and dispositioning patients, particularly in high-stress situations. Is able to handle high stress situations and uses clinical skills to defuse escalating patients, family members, etc.
• Coordination of Patient Care and Admissions
  • Discusses clinical impressions and recommendations with referring physicians and nurses to expedite patient placement.
  • Coordinates admission to the inpatient unit with psychiatrists and nursing staff.
  • If admission to a local hospital or LPS-designated facility is required, facilitates handoff procedures and ensures the transition is managed efficiently.
  • Ensures patients are transferred expeditiously after medical clearance.
  • Verifies payer benefits for admissions and coordinates transfers to LPS-designated facilities.
• Legal and Documentation Responsibilities
  • Initiates 72-hour (or SB43) holds when clinically indicated and informs patients accordingly.
  • Collects required county data and reporting requirements for 5150s.
  • Completes all required documentation, including PL Assessments, Suicide Risk Assessments, Elopement Risk Assessments, logs, and Requests to CMH.
  • Records the activity from each shift according to documentation expectations in the patients record.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Develops and maintains effective communication with physicians, patients, families/significant others, and both internal and external healthcare teams.
  • Communicates urgent issues to the ED Manager and Behavioral Health Manager as appropriate.
  • Participates in regular staff meetings, including bi-monthly PL meetings.
• Professional Responsibilities and Training
  • May provide ongoing supervision to MFT, PhD, and PsyD trainees and interns.
  • Utilizes organizational and time management skills to perform duties efficiently and responsibly.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of one (1) year professional experience or internship within an acute inpatient setting or two (2) years within an acute outpatient setting.
• Familiarity with psychiatric symptoms, diagnoses, medications and referrals.
• Possess a working knowledge and understanding of the current DSM.
• Ability to communicate effectively utilizing both written and verbal skills.

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in a relevant healthcare field (Psychology, Social Services, or Marriage and Family Therapy), required.

Licenses:

• California license at the Masters level or above (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, Psychologist, or Registered Nurse), required. 

Certifications:

• Certification as a Supervisor for Intern and Practicum students, preferred.
• NVCI required within 90 days of hire or transfer.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work.

*Salary/Hourly Wage range based on experience.

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.