Job Description

​Admissions Counselor – River Place Behavioral Health

River Place Behavioral Health is located in LaPlace, Louisiana, just 20 miles west of New Orleans and 40 miles east of Baton Rouge. Our state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2018, provides acute inpatient care for adults of all genders who have been struggling with bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. We also serve adults who have a primary mental health diagnosis and a co-occurring substance use disorder. At River Place Behavioral Health, a team of experienced and compassionate professionals works closely with each patient to help them achieve stabilization so that they can return home or step down to a lower level of care.

https://www.riverplacebh.com

We are looking to hire a facility Admissions Counselor for River Place Behavioral Health.

The Admissions Counselor plays a vital role in facilitating the admission process for patients seeking treatment, ensuring a smooth, compassionate, and efficient experience from the first inquiry through admission. This position requires strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to balance administrative and therapeutic responsibilities in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

The Admissions Counselor responds to inquiries in a timely and professional manner, conducts pre-admission assessments, verifies insurance benefits, and coordinates with medical and psychiatric teams to ensure appropriate placement and continuity of care. The role also involves completing pre-authorizations, maintaining accurate medical documentation, and ensuring that all admissions meet facility and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to patient safety while supporting individuals and families during critical decision-making moments. This position is key to ensuring that every patient receives the right level of care and that their transition into treatment is handled with care, accuracy, and compassion.

Seeking

• ​Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN
• One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.
• Current licensure, as required for the area of clinical specialty, i.e., current RN license, CAC or other clinical counseling or therapy license, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.

Why Join

• Competitive compensation with industry leading annual performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match to support your financial future
• Stock-based awards, giving you a stake in Acadia’s success
• Generous paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays
• Professional development & leadership training to sharpen your skills
• Career mobility within Acadia

Responsibilities

​ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• ​Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.
• ​Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• ​Perform benefit eligibility to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission. Communicate benefit eligibility to the business office and the patient or significant other.
• ​Collaborate with other facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
• ​Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.

• ​Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
• ​Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
• ​Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patient (including medical comorbidity information) is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.
• ​Schedule (when applicable) and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to patient or their family.
• ​Possess skill in preparing and maintaining appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.
• ​Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
• ​Admit patient in the registration and accounting system. Complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.
• ​Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

• When a patient’s needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

• Coordinate care for patients who are not being admitted and ensure that they receive appropriate follow-up care and referrals.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
• Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15-minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or by individualized supervision guidelines as needed.

​OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• ​Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

​EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: ​

• ​Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN
• One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.

​LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• ​Current licensure, as required for the area of clinical specialty, i.e., current RN license, CAC or other clinical counseling or therapy license, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.
• ​CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• ​First aid may be required based on state or facility.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

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