Kitsap Mental Health Services Careers

Access Screener and Coordinator

Hiring Range: $24.94 – $30.55 Per Hour

30 Hours Per Week

Location: Onsite In Port Orchard, WA

Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage: Enjoy extensive health, dental, and vision benefits to support your well-being, with access to top-tier care and services.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take advantage of up to 19 days of paid time off (PTO), plus 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays in your first year, giving you the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance: We’ve got you covered with short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all provided at no cost to you, so you can feel secure in every situation.
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development: Benefit from student loan repayment assistance and a commitment to your growth with extensive training and development opportunities to advance your career.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan: Take control of your future with a wide range of investment options in our 403(b) plan. Depending on eligibility, you could also receive generous company contributions to help grow your retirement savings.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access confidential support through our EAP, offering resources for personal and professional challenges, including counseling, financial advice, and more.
• Pets Best Pet Insurance: Keep your furry family members healthy with comprehensive pet insurance for your cats and dogs, covering a variety of treatments and services.
• 2MorrowHealth Behavioral Change App: Improve your mental and physical well-being with free access to 2MorrowHealth, a powerful app designed to support healthy behavior changes and wellness goals.
• Home Support Services: Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, we offer valuable resources to assist with your home journey, helping you navigate the process with confidence.
• Dynamic, Collaborative Team Environment: Join an incredible team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and support, where every voice is heard and every idea valued.

Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) is seeking a compassionate and organized Access Screener and Coordinator to serve as the first point of contact for individuals and families seeking behavioral health services. In this vital front-line role, you will assist the public by responding to in-person and phone inquiries, providing accurate referrals, coordinating intake paperwork, completing data entry into our electronic medical records system, and helping clients navigate Medicaid and DSHS enrollment.

This position is ideal for someone who remains calm under pressure, is knowledgeable about community resources, and is passionate about helping individuals access care quickly and compassionately. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to make a direct impact on access to mental health services, apply today!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Triage and screen service requests in person and by phone, referring emergent cases to crisis services or providing de-escalation support as needed.
• Use clinical judgment and de-escalation techniques to work with individuals in distress or experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
• Provide accurate information and referrals based on understanding of KMHS services and community resources.
• Become certified as a Navigator to assist clients in applying for Medicaid (Apple Health) and related benefits.
• Guide clients through DSHS and Washington Health Benefit Exchange application processes.
• Maintain current knowledge of KMHS programs, intake criteria, and program-specific procedures.
• Accurately enter and manage data in the electronic medical record and track referrals and outcomes.
• Coordinate intake paperwork and communicate effectively with other KMHS teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Monitor and process provider referrals and maintain compliance through system audits and reporting.
• Provide high-quality customer service to clients, families, and partner agencies in a respectful and efficient manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, social services, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE: Entry level (no prior related work experience)

LICENSURE: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)

Experience working with behavioral health consumers in a clinically oriented setting.

Experience entering data into an electronic medical record.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.

SKILLS:

1. Communication ‑ Ensure quality service to the public by communicating in a sensitive, respectful and knowledgeable manner. Contribute toward the development and maintenance of positive and collaborative relationships with KMHS programs, other public or private agencies, and the public to enhance the overall mission and goals of the agency.
2. Computer skills ‑ Proficient with computers and able to concurrently enter data into an electronic medical record with speed and accuracy while speaking with consumers face-to-face or over the telephone.

Abilities:

1. Ability to participate as an integral member of the Access Team. Work in a cooperative and collaborative manner as a team member.
2. Able to assist in building positive working relationships with staff of all agency departments.
3. Demonstrated ability to be comfortable and practical with assisting a diverse population of individuals and families across the lifespan with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness or Serious Emotional Disturbance and who may be in crisis

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Work Environment: Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.

Mental/Physical Requirements:  While performing the job duties, the employee must walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen.  Peripheral vision is also required for this position.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.