Mental Health Technician
About The Position
The Mental Health Technician supports medical services for individuals receiving outpatient mental health care. The role assists with treatment plans and reviews, patient assistance programs, IDP and outcomes, authorization overrides, follow-ups, state paperwork, and referrals. It also conducts face-to-face visits and handles telephone calls related to medical services. The technician coordinates with doctors and patients, supports appointment preparation and scheduling, assists with vital signs, medication inventory and records, documentation, and front-office tasks. The role maintains patient charts in compliance with applicable state, CARF, Medicaid, and other requirements, participates in case conferences and quality improvement activities, and attends required training and staff meetings. Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting.
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, along with written and verbal communication and administrative and clerical skills.
- Ability to respond appropriately in 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, and incident reporting.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, organize and interpret information, and communicate data comprehensively.
- Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team and culturally diverse staff and consumers, while respecting individual cultural and ethnic values.
- Ability to seek supervisory direction when appropriate, work independently with minimal supervision, and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings, and to use approved physical and mental/verbal de-escalation techniques when needed.
- Demonstrated dependability, good attendance, flexibility, professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, ethical conduct, and a safe and orderly work approach.
- CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.
- Ability to meet the stated physical and mental demands, with or without accommodation, including standing, walking, sitting for extended periods, bending, reaching, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and using computer and telephone systems.
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 doctors and participate in medical treatment planning and reviews.
- Consult with patients about their progress toward treatment plan goals and objectives.
- Order medications at the request of medical staff or doctors and maintain medication inventory.
- Record and maintain medication samples and IDP.
- Complete required state and intake paperwork.
- Back up front-office and reception functions, 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 the psychiatric evaluation when it is billed on a SAL.
- Assist in taking patients' vital signs and preparing patients for appointments.
- Assist the psychiatrist as needed and 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
