Mental Health Tech-- PT (53461)

Westcare•Key West, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician supports medical services for individuals receiving outpatient mental health services. The role assists with treatment planning and reviews, patient assistance programs, medication inventory and samples, required paperwork, authorizations, follow-ups, referrals, and patient records. The technician conducts face-to-face visits and handles medical-service-related calls. The position also supports appointment preparation, patient vitals, psychiatrist needs, case conferences, and front-office functions. The technician is responsible for maintaining patient charts in compliance with applicable State, CARF, Medicaid, and other requirements; completing required state and intake paperwork; and complying with confidentiality, ethics, consumer-rights, and safety requirements. The role participates in training, staff meetings, supervisory sessions, quality improvement activities, and committee assignments, and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Foundation. Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting. The position requires mobility and physical activity, including standing, walking, sitting for extended periods, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, and occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. It also requires computer and telephone use, effective spoken communication and hearing, and vision for paperwork and observing client behavior. The employee may need to use approved physical and mental/verbal de-escalation techniques to defend themselves and clients. The role may involve potential exposure to human blood, body fluids, or tissues; appropriate personal protective equipment is available. Mental demands include analyzing complex information, collaborating with others, and working under stress in emotionally charged settings.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent issued by a state department of education is required.
One year of experience working in a medical office is required.
CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis test are required.
Working knowledge of behavioral health terminology.
Medical terminology knowledge and understanding, along with written and verbal communication and administrative and clerical skills.
Ability to respond appropriately during a medical or psychiatric emergency and demonstrate empathy and compassion during a crisis.
Ability to comply with statutory requirements and professional and ethical responsibilities concerning confidentiality.
Knowledge of HIPAA, professional ethics, consumer rights, confidentiality, and incident reporting.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats and organize, interpret, and communicate data comprehensively.
Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers and demonstrate respect for cultural and ethnic values.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, seek supervisor direction when appropriate, and accept direction and supervision.
Dependability, good attendance, flexibility, productive work habits, integrity, and a professional demeanor.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, coworkers, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to work under stress in emotionally charged settings and use approved de-escalation techniques.
Ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
Physical ability to stand, walk, sit for extended periods, bend, twist, reach, balance, and occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without accommodation.
Ability to use computer and telephone systems, including fine hand manipulation and eye-hand coordination.
Ability to talk, hear, and see as required for the role, with or without accommodation.

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 their progress toward treatment-plan goals and objectives.
Order medications as requested by medical staff or the doctor.
Maintain medication inventory and records of medication samples and IDP.
Complete required state and intake paperwork.
Back up front-office and reception functions, including scheduling appointments, handling superbills 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.
Communicate and coordinate effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
Ensure that a note is present on the 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.
Conduct face-to-face visits and handle medical-service-related telephone calls with individuals receiving outpatient mental health services.
Embrace and embody WestCare Foundation's mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.