Lifepoint Health·Olathe, Kansas
The Assessment Specialist manages the initial intake process, including inquiry calls, triage, and comprehensive clinical assessments for patients with mental health and addiction challenges. They coordinate with clinical teams to determine the appropriate level of care and handle administrative admission and insurance precertification processes.
Facility Name: Cottonwood Spring Behavioral Health
Position: Assessment Specialist
Schedule: Full-time Nights
Your experience matters
Lifepoint Rehabilitation is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As an Assessment Specialist RN joining our team, you’re embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.
Cottonwood Springs is a behavioral health hospital located in Olathe, KS, part of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. We provide inpatient and outpatient programming for those facing mental health and addiction challenges. Our programs offer caring, compassionate treatment for adults (18+) and include inpatient mental health and addiction treatment and detox, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). Our BH is a very fast-paced yet fun environment with endless opportunities to learn and grow!
We are looking for a dynamic assessment specialist that is passionate about helping people and is a team player.
The Assessment Specialist is responsible for receives inquiry calls and assists the caller with scheduling a face-to-face assessment or triage to the appropriate community referral. assesses or ensures assessment by a qualified mental health professional of patients who present for assessment. screens for medical and behavioral emergency conditions. performs a comprehensive assessment and quality therapeutic care to patients seeking treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric or emotional disorders; coordinates with the clinical team/on-call physician to ensure these needs are met either at the facility or other appropriate community providers. interprets treatment to patient and family to help reduce fear and other attitudes obstructing acceptance of care and continuation of treatment. completes the administrative processes of admission and precertification of care with external payers, as necessary.
Reports to: Assessment Manager/Supervisor
What Will You Do In This Role
Facilitates response to a request for services, including the initial response, the assessment, and referral process, the designation of the appropriate level of care, admission into services, and appropriate follow up activity
Conducts initial evaluation, initiates the assessment, documents patient symptomology, functioning, and needs and provides information to MD for LOC determination
Demonstrates excellent customer service skills in assisting patients, physicians, visitors, and coworkers in a prompt and courteous manner
Possess clear knowledge of Emergency Detention paperwork and processes and EMTALA
Maintains all preadmission and admission paperwork with accuracy, and completes all pre-certification with insurance companies with insurance companies.
Associate's Degree in Nursing is required or Master's degree in Social Work/Counseling is required.
Current clinical, social work, or RN license as required by state regulations.
CPR and De-escalation certification required or obtain within 30 days of hire.
Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients preferred. Experience in patient assessments, family motivations, treatment planning and communication with external review organizations or comparable entities is strongly preferred.
We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:
Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage — tailored benefit options for part-time and PRN employees, and more.
Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.
Cottonwood Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottonwood Springs is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.
Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier.
Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities.
We believe that success is achieved through talented people.
We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.
We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life.
We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve.
Candidates must hold an Associate's Degree in Nursing or a Master's degree in Social Work/Counseling along with a valid state license. CPR and De-escalation certifications are required, and previous experience in psychiatric or chemical dependency care is strongly preferred.
Market context
In Kansas, behavioral health hiring often centers on clinicians who can work across outpatient, school-based, and community settings, with demand strongest for candidates who are license-eligible and comfortable with complex caseloads. These roles are competitive because employers look for a master’s degree, clinical conceptualization skills for eating disorders and dual diagnoses, and readiness to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm licensure steps and highlight any direct experience with co-occurring conditions in your application.