Mental Health Technician (53348)

Westcare•Key Largo, FL

21d

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician supports medical services for individuals receiving outpatient mental health services. The role assists with treatment plans and reviews, patient assistance programs, IDP and outcomes, authorization overrides, follow-ups, state paperwork, referrals, face-to-face visits, and medical-service-related telephone calls. The technician also supports appointment preparation, patient vitals, medication-related tasks, psychiatric appointments, and case conferences, and performs other duties as assigned. The position is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting. It requires maintaining patient records in accordance with applicable State, CARF, Medicaid, and other rules and standards, as well as protecting confidentiality and supporting a safe and respectful environment. The employee must be able to work with clients and a multidisciplinary team, including in stressful or emotionally charged situations, and to carry out essential duties with or without accommodation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent issued by a state department of education.
One year of experience working in a medical office.
Working knowledge of behavioral health terminology.
Medical terminology knowledge and understanding, written and verbal communication skills, and administrative and clerical skills.
Ability to respond appropriately in a medical or psychiatric emergency and to demonstrate empathy and compassion during a medical or psychiatric crisis.
Ability to comply with statutory requirements and professional and ethical responsibilities concerning confidentiality.
Knowledge of HIPAA, professional ethics, consumer rights, and confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats and to organize, interpret, and communicate data comprehensively.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with a multidisciplinary team, culturally diverse staff and consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to demonstrate respect for consumers and their cultural and ethnic values; understand issues related to cultural identity, ethnicity, age, developmental level, gender, and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention, and treatment.
Ability to articulate a working definition of trauma, understand the impact of trauma, and understand re-traumatization.
Knowledge of incident reporting and ability to use Unusual Incident Reports in accordance with reporting procedures.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, seek supervisor direction when appropriate, accept supervision, and remain flexible and responsive to supervisor requests.
Dependability, good attendance, adherence to working hours, productive work habits, integrity, good judgment, discretion, and a professional demeanor.
Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work area and adhere to agency safety procedures.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work well in a team environment.
CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis test.
Ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodation, including standing, walking on even and uneven surfaces, sitting for extended periods, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
Ability to use computer and telephone systems, including typing, writing, and handling files.
Ability to use approved physical de-escalation techniques to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations, and approved mental or verbal de-escalation techniques in mentally or verbally abusive situations.
Ability to speak, hear, and see as required for communication, paperwork, and observing client behavior and activities.
Ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions, cooperate and exchange information with others, and work under stress in emotionally charged settings.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, or a related social science field.
Six months of experience working in a mental health or substance abuse agency.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with the doctor and participate in medical treatment planning and reviews; consult with patients about progress toward treatment plan goals and objectives.
Order medications as requested by medical staff or the doctor and maintain medication inventory.
Record and maintain medication samples and IDP.
Complete required state and intake paperwork.
Provide backup for the front office and reception, including scheduling appointments, handling super bills and payments, and answering phones.
Complete and comply with requests for records.
Maintain patient charts in compliance with State, CARF, Medicaid, and other rules and standards.
Attend and participate in training activities, staff meetings, and supervisory sessions.
Participate in Quality Improvement activities and committee assignments as requested.
Ensure that a note is present on a psychiatric evaluation when it is billed on a SAL.
Assist with taking patient vitals and preparing patients for appointments; assist the psychiatrist as needed.
Participate in case conferences.
Complete orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes.
Embrace and embody WestCare Foundation's mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.