Program Assistant

Lifeline Connections • Bellingham, WA

43d • $20 - $23 • Hybrid

About The Position

Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

Requirements

• Possess people and problem-solving skills to assist and support clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses and their families.
• Solid organizational skill and ability to make contacts and establish relationships to get information necessary for the program to function within the larger system.
• Knowledge of computers and software; simplified bidding, contracting, billing, and accounting procedures; medical records management; and personnel policies and procedures is required.
• Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential.
• Valid driver’s license for the state of Washington.

Nice To Haves

• Education and experience in the field of human service (e.g., associate or bachelor’s degree in human services or experience as an inpatient unit clerk or in a medical clinic), or office management or both is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the monthly staff work schedule and recommend and revise policies and procedures pertaining to these schedules in accordance with labor contract agreements.
• Maintain records of time staff worked and leave time.
• Maintain and review with the team leader the unit budget for operation of the facility and assure that all purchases of supplies and equipment remain within that budget.
• Order and maintain unit supplies, equipment, and furniture; arrange for repair of office furniture and equipment; record mileage logged on program vehicles; and arrange for maintenance of program vehicles.
• Assist nurses in ordering medication for clients from pharmacies according to state purchasing regulations.
• Record admissions and discharges to provide a source of information for statistical reports.
• Maintain client charts according to the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and other certifying bodies, including the following: set up charts for newly admitted clients; file materials in client charts and files to assure current, accurate information is available; and monitor ACT clinical charts in coordination with the team leader, to assure that they are being maintained in accordance with unit policies and procedures.
• Inform and consult with staff for the proper maintenance of clinical charts and conduct in-service training for staff regarding clinical charting requirements.
• Type letters, memos, and reports using word-processing equipment.
• Prepare letters to request medical records and client authorizations and maintain log of requests and records received.
• Design and maintain forms to obtain and maintain insurance information regarding all clients.
• Collect necessary data and prepare reports.
• Sort, route, and prioritize incoming mail with distribution to appropriate staff.
• Greet people at headquarters and answer telephone calls including performing the following: (1) triage and coordinate communication between the team and clients; (2) get answers to questions for clients, families, community resources, and agencies; (3) work with callers to relieve urgent situations or to temporarily manage them until other staff are available; (4) attend to symptomatic behavior (shouting and pacing) of clients who come into the ACT office for appointments with staff or of those who come in without a clear purpose (persons without something to do or who come in because of distress); and (5) decide when and how quickly to refer calls to other staff.
• Assess and report clinical behaviors and information (such as poor self-care, medical problems, and increased overt symptoms such as agitation) that are out of the ordinary for that particular client.
• Manage and operate a system to disperse money to clients according to individual client budgets in accordance with clients’ treatment plan case managers.
• Manage and maintain an account with a local bank for deposits and withdrawals of client budgets.
• Communicate regularly with financial guardians and protective payees of clients to coordinate individual patient budgets between the program and guardians or payees.
• Manage and operate the system to document all cash transactions with receipts signed by clients upon receiving cash.
• Manage and operate the system to receive money from guardians or payees, maintaining a record of receipt and the current balance for each client.
• Communicate with landlords regarding client rental agreements and payment of rent.
• Operate and coordinate the computer and management information systems for the program.
• Complete the training for apple health/medical insurance.
• Assist patients receiving services and their families in accessing Medicaid benefits.
• Provide patients access to WA. Apple Health BH Services Booklet.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Employer-paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance, along with access to supplemental coverage options.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid holidays and personal holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree