Mental Health Technician (53634)

Westcare•Marathon, FL

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, and referrals. It also involves conducting face-to-face visits and handling medical-service-related telephone calls. The technician coordinates with doctors on treatment planning, supports patients in working toward treatment goals, assists with medication ordering and inventory, maintains medication samples and IDP, and helps prepare patients for appointments. The position also supports front-office operations, maintains compliant patient charts, assists with vital signs, and assists the psychiatrist as needed. The employee participates in case conferences, training, staff meetings, supervisory sessions, and quality improvement activities, while following applicable confidentiality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalence issued by a state department of education is required.
One year of experience working in a medical office is required.
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 to a medical or psychiatric emergency and demonstrate empathy and compassion during a medical or psychiatric crisis.
Ability to comply with statutory requirements and professional and ethical confidentiality responsibilities.
Knowledge of HIPAA, professional ethics, consumer rights, confidentiality, incident reporting, and WestCare’s mission, goals, and values.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, organize and interpret information, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, coworkers, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, accept direction, demonstrate dependability, and maintain good attendance and productive work time.
CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.
Ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
Ability to work cooperatively with clients, coworkers, managers, the public, and employees at all levels.
Ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings and to use approved physical and mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including standing, walking, sitting for extended periods, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and using computer and telephone systems.
Ability to talk, hear, and see as required to perform essential duties, including communicating detailed information and observing client behavior.

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 is preferred.
Six months of experience working in a Mental Health/Substance Abuse agency is preferred.
Bilingual ability is preferred.
Familiarity with WestCare services and programs.
Ability to articulate a working definition of trauma, understand the impact of trauma, and understand re-traumatization.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with doctors 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 doctors and maintain medication inventory.
Record and maintain medication samples and IDP.
Complete required state and intake paperwork.
Provide backup front-office and reception support, 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 applicable 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 vital signs 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.
Embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.
Perform other duties as assigned.