Behavioral Health Medical Assistant

Camino Health Center•San Juan Capistrano, CA

13h

About The Position

The behavioral health medical assistant’s primary job function is to work as part of the primary care team to provide high quality, efficient and service oriented patient care while demonstrating the health center’s core values. Under the direct supervision of the BH Director and collaboration with Clinic Manager, the Behavioral Health Medical Assistant (BH MA) is responsible for providing a high level of customer service to Camino’s patients, specifically BH patients. The BH MA’s duties will be two-fold including: Behavioral Health: Collaboration and communication with community partners, and other health center employees. The BH MA is responsible for effectively communicating with patients for the purpose of obtaining and relaying accurate information needed for processing their BH and psychiatry visit. They will be in charge with answering BH related phone calls from patients & community, ensuring timely mental health access and appropriately processing each request. The BH PSR is responsible for processing BH integrated records and other patient related documents as requested by BH Team and/or Psychiatry services. The BH PSR uses the health center’s electronic health record (EHR) and electronic workflow processes to monitor BH appointment access to maximize capacity. Direct Patient Care: The medical assistant works alongside physicians, mid-level providers, behavioral health professionals, psychiatrist, registered nurses and other support staff support to delivery direct patient care services. The medical assistant is responsible for executing standing orders as well as anticipating the needs of the BH care team in order to help facilitate the delivery of quality clinical care and a positive patient experience. The BH medical assistant is responsible for actively participating in the health center’s quality and continuous improvement activities. Ensure that the core values of Camino Health Center – dignity, excellence, service and justice are carried out within daily tasks Essential Values-Based Competencies Demonstrates values-based competencies in line with the four core values that are the foundation of all activities performed by employees in order to achieve the mission of the Camino Health Center. Dignity: Demonstrates competence in communication and interpersonal relations we respect each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life. Excellence: Demonstrates competence in continuous improvement, continuous learning, and teamwork/collaboration we foster professional development, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and commitment to quality. Service: Demonstrates competence in customer/patient focus, adaptability, and shaping change we bring together people who recognize that every interaction is a unique opportunity to serve one another, the community, and society. Justice: Demonstrates competence in community orientation, stewardship, and strategic planning and action we advocate for systems and structures that are attuned to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged and that promote a sense of community among all persons.

Requirements

High school graduate diploma or GED
Bilingual English/Spanish
Medical and/or BH front and/or back office experience preferred
experience using electronic health record
Bilingual English/Spanish
excellent customer service skills
Current BLS certification

Nice To Haves

License/Certification: Mental Health First Training

Responsibilities

Determines reason for patient’s visit by reviewing patient’s medical record and/or questioning patient regarding medical complaint.
Documents patient’s symptoms and observations in the electronic medical record.
Accurately reviews and updates patient’s social history and medication lists in the electronic health record.
Performs patient care functions in accordance with stand orders and as directed by clinic physicians, psychiatrist, mid-level providers or nurses. Activities include but are not limited to: taking vital signs, applying/removing dressings; reporting adverse reactions or changes in patient’s condition to appropriate personnel; explaining health education and referral information to patient as directed.
Accurately and efficiently performs routine medical assistant duties such as: administration of immunizations, TB testing, venipuncture, audiometer examination, visual acuity, ear lavage, ECG, respiratory treatments, and other routine medical functions as directed by the provider and according to established procedures.
Collects specimens from patients such as urine, stool, or blood, and prepares specimen for laboratory pick-up for analysis as directed; performs routine laboratory tests such as urine dipstick, pregnancy test, and hemoglobin or blood sugar finger stick.
Assists psychiatrist/medical personnel with minor surgical procedures and/or diagnostic examinations; provides support to patients and other assistance as directed or required; completes necessary arrangements or organizes treatment rooms prior to surgical and/or examination procedures; obtains patient consent prior to surgical procedure.
Facilitates the check-out process, including: providing the patient with their clinical summary, scheduling follow up or next day appointments and exiting the patient from the health center or to the laboratory check-in.
Ensures that each exam room is properly cleaned, equipped and supplied.
Monitors inventory of medical supplies and orders needed provisions following standard health center inventory control processes.
Maintains agreed standard of cleanliness and organization in assigned work areas.
Properly removes soiled paper goods and disposable medical supplies.
According to established protocols, properly cleans previously used instruments, prepares for sterilization and autoclave.
Following standard protocols, manages assigned provider’s message queues.
Ensures all patient logs, immunization records, consents and other forms are complete.
Responsible for accurately preparing patient records for upcoming visits, including obtaining needed medical records, reviewing standing orders and accessing for clinical measures.
Ensures that all documentation is available for pre-operation and hospital follow-up appointments.
Relays messages to medical personnel; returns calls to patients as directed; answers questions and instructs patients in self-care as directed. As directed, follows up with patients who are a no-show for their appointment.
Cross trains in other clinic areas and fills in as requested in the front office, medical records, case management and laboratory.
Provides positive, supportive and caring behavior in all communications with patients, visitors, health center staff and community members.
Adheres to the policies, procedures, and standards of Camino Health Center. Acts as Spanish-English interpreter between provider and patient when needed.
Interprets accurately and at a level appropriate for the client.
Serves as a point of contact for all Behavioral Health services.
Communicates with clients and patients with a Trauma-Informed Approach to promote well-being.
Provides non-judgmental, warm, empathic and respectful interactions while maintaining healthy boundaries.
Welcomes patients and verifies appointment time and type.
Assists patients and caretakers with the completion of forms as needed.
Verifies patient eligibility.
Addresses patient questions concerning services or method of payment.
Explains insurance coverage.
Schedules patient appointments.
Monitors BH schedules & queues for access throughout the day in all 3 clinics.
Assist BH Leadership in meeting productivity targets.
Partners with BH providers for high-risk patient follow-up.
Answers all incoming calls and transfers in a timely manner and responds appropriately, in a manner that conveys the health center’s core values.
Makes outbound calls as needed, such as rescheduling patients or contacting patients to schedule appointments to help close BH related care gaps.
Provides or facilitates in-clinic (WIC/ Dental/ CPSP/ Medical) or outside referrals
Calls psychiatry patients to remind them of their upcoming appointments.
Supports ad hock BH staff requests.
Coordinates & collaborates with the BH Director daily.
Coordinates patient appointments in person or tele health psychiatry.
Collects demographic and health information needed to facilitate the patient encounter.
Accurately enters registration information for new patients and updates for established patients in the EHR.
Ensures patient registration information forms are complete and signed.
Ensures the annual update to the Certification of Income form is completed and accurately documented in the EHR.
Collects insurance cards and MSN acceptance letters when applicable.
Accurately collects and documents co-payments, nominal fees, and sliding fees.
Discusses account balances and asks for past-due payments.
Provides patients with a statement of charges and payments.
Reconciles cash collected daily and ensures that money has been secured in the safe.
When prepping charts: ensure consent for treatment for all family members.
Accurately administer and complete all forms required for eligibility certification, including but not limited to flagging need for ACEs, PEARLs, PHQ-9, PH-A, GAD-7, CRAFFT, and AUDIT-c screenings.
Audits & monitors the BH Queue located in the EHR throughout the day.
Coordinates clinical supervision meetings and blocks BH provider schedules accordingly.
Schedules psychiatry appointments.
Confirms psychiatric appointments.
Ensures psychiatrist utilization is maximized.
Monitors electronic fax queues and accurately e-files documents.
Collaborates with psychiatry's (PCPI) medical assistant.
Distributes BH correspondence to Provider’s bins from the e-fax queue.
Reviews Medical Records message queue and using standard protocols, acts on each item accurately and in a timely manner.
Answers BH phone calls and retrieves voice messages and acts on each consistent with standard protocols.
Facilitates the release of medical records in a manner consistent with health center policies and applicable HIPAA regulations.
Performs other duties as assigned by BH Director and/or Clinic Manager
May include traveling to other clinic sites; you will be reimbursed for gas mileage