Behavioral Health Clinical Support Specialist

Essen Medical Associates•Bronx, NY

About The Position

The Clinical Support Specialist provides comprehensive clinical and administrative support to psychiatry and other behavioral health providers. The role supports patient care coordination, clinical documentation, prior authorizations, and administrative tasks to help deliver behavioral health services efficiently. The specialist facilitates patient experiences across telehealth visits, in-person intakes, screenings, and ongoing psychiatric and therapeutic care while maintaining HIPAA compliance and clinical documentation standards. The position includes assisting with patient intake and preparation, supporting telehealth appointments, conducting standardized screenings under provider direction, documenting in the electronic health record, assisting with interventional psychiatry procedures such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and coordinating care. The specialist also handles clinical correspondence, prior authorization requests, forms, and communication among patients, providers, and other care resources.

Requirements

Minimum 1–2 years of experience in a healthcare clinical setting.
Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.
Strong understanding of HIPAA regulations and patient privacy requirements.
Proficiency with healthcare documentation standards and terminology.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to multitask.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with patients and providers.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Attention to detail, particularly in clinical documentation and prior authorizations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Medical Assistant certification (CMA, RMA, or equivalent).
Completion of a formal Clinical Assistant training program.
Experience in behavioral health, mental health, or psychiatry.
Experience with medical insurance prior authorization processes.
Familiarity with telehealth platforms and virtual care delivery.
Spanish speaking.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient intake appointments, including collecting vital signs, documenting patient histories, and completing preliminary screening questionnaires.
Prepare patients for psychiatric evaluations and sessions by explaining procedures and setting expectations.
Support telehealth psychiatric appointments by ensuring technology setup, patient privacy, and clinical environment preparation.
Conduct standardized behavioral health screenings and assessments, such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7, under provider direction.
Develop and maintain standardized training sessions, schedules, and curricula tailored to provider roles for new providers.
Document patient interactions, clinical observations, and vital signs accurately and promptly in the EHR.
Assist with interventional psychiatry procedures, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Coordinate care transitions.
Generate and maintain clinical correspondence, including patient letters, referral documents, and clinical summaries.
Prepare and submit prior authorization requests for psychiatric medications and treatments to insurance carriers.
Track medication authorization status and communicate updates to providers and patients.
Manage form completion, including consent forms, treatment planning documents, and clinical assessment templates.
Maintain HIPAA compliance in all patient interactions and protect the confidentiality of patient information and PHI.
Serve as a liaison between patients and the behavioral health care team.
Coordinate care with other behavioral health providers, primary care physicians, and community resources.