Behavior - Medical Assistant - Part-Time

The Behavioral Health Medical Assistant provides support to the Behavioral Health team under the direction of the Director, Behavioral Health. The BHMA supports the Behavioral Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and the patients that engage in Behavioral Health services. Primary responsibilities include but not limited to: managing PNP prescription related jellybeans, assisting/completing medication pre-authorizations, checking in and rooming in-person appointments: taking vitals, medication reconciliation, documenting side effects and refill status, ensuring that PNP schedules are full with appropriate appointments etc. but also assisting with various administrative responsibilities in support of Behavioral Health Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Patient Care:

1. Assist in the preparation of patients for behavioral health appointments, including taking vitals, updating medical histories, and noting any current symptoms or concerns.
2. Support clinicians during patient assessments and treatments, including setting up equipment, providing patient education, and ensuring patient comfort and safety.
3. Conduct follow-up calls to check on patients' progress, provide additional instructions, or remind them of upcoming appointments.
4. Organizes and performs patient care services that support the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner practice.

Administrative Tasks:

1. Manage patient scheduling, including booking, rescheduling, and confirming appointments.
2. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, assessments, treatments, and any other relevant information in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
3. Process and manage referrals, authorizations, and insurance verifications as needed.
4. Medical assistant tasks includes; scheduling appointments, assisting/completing medication pre-authorizations, assisting in preparing patients for appointments, managing prescription related ECW jellybeans/faxes, relaying instructions from the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to the patient or authorized person, collecting patient data in person and by phone and documenting patient concerns, messages and care provided in the electronic medical record for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner’s review, performing vital sign documentation, scheduling of appointments and procedures, complete and accurate message taking, routing messages to the appropriate area for direction, order and referral entry, acquisition of pre-certifications and basic registration and updating of demographics.

Clinical Support:

1. Maintain a clean and organized clinical environment, including sanitizing equipment and rooms between patient visits.
2. Assist in inventory management, including ordering, stocking, and monitoring supplies and medications.
3. Perform basic lab tests, such as urine screenings, as required and ensure proper handling and documentation of specimens.

Communication:

1. Serve as a liaison between patients and behavioral health providers, facilitating clear communication and ensuring patient needs are addressed promptly.
2. Coordinate with other departments to ensure comprehensive patient care, including primary care, specialty care, and external providers as necessary.
3. Provide education and support to patients and their families regarding behavioral health conditions, treatment plans, and available resources.

Compliance and Safety:

1. Adhere to all healthcare regulations, organizational policies, and ethical standards to ensure patient confidentiality and safety.
2. Participate in continuing education and training programs to stay updated on best practices and advancements in behavioral health care.
3. Report any safety concerns, incidents, or unusual occurrences to the appropriate supervisor or manager.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program.
2. High School Diploma or equivalent
3. 1–2 years’ experience.

Preferred:

1. Experience working in a Behavioral Health setting.
2. Certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA).
3. Experience working with Native American population.
4. Electronic health records, eClinical Works.

Special Conditions of Employment:

1. Work schedule, Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM, on-site.
2. Current BLS and CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
3. Has a clean driving record and insurance as required by the state.
4. Has reliable transportation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Strong knowledge of computer-based systems and EMR, Excel, Word, and the Internet with the ability to quickly learn new systems.
2. Must possess initiative, tact; poise; neat personal appearance; physical condition commensurate with the requirements of the position.
3. Attention to detail development and maintenance of regulatory paperwork.
4. Ability to work independently, as well as to be part of a collaborative team.
5. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
6. Compassionate and patient-centered approach to care.
7. Strong presentation skills and ability to create needed educational materials.
8. Attention to detail development and maintenance of regulatory paperwork.
9. Computer proficiency, including programs such as MS Office, Word, Excel, email, and internet research, required.
10. Basic knowledge of medical terminology and behavioral health concepts.
11. Must possess the ability to educate and train Compliance and Clinical standards to staff members.
12. Excellent time management skills
13. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
14. Ability to maintain confidentiality and meticulous records.
15. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all during the course of work.
16. Able to perform basic mathematical calculations necessary to perform the job function.
17. Must be reliable and extremely trustworthy. 

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation.

1. Able to lift/move up to 30 pounds, move from place to place.
2. Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
3. Ability to do math, organize and prioritize workload, work effectively and efficiently under stress.
4. Ability to supervise, multitask, understand, and follow instructions.
5. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision
6. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
7. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports.
8. Manual dexterity to operate medical instruments and equipment.
9. Visual and auditory acuity to accurately assess patient conditions and communicate effectively.
10. Ability to proficiently read, write, speak, and understand English.

Work Environment:

1. Primarily in a clinical setting with exposure to patients and healthcare providers.
2. Potential exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials, following appropriate safety protocols.

Customer Service:

1. Actively supports, promotes, and works to fulfill the Mission, Vision, and core values of SDAIHC.
2. Provides excellent internal and external customer service.
3. Demonstrates SDAIHC’s Standards of Customer Service Behavior: Compassion, Attitude, Communication, Appearance, Sense of Ownership, and Teamwork.
4. Participates in on-going customer service training.
5. In every action, seeks to promote SDAIHC as a top service organization.

Quality Management:

1. Contribute to the success of the organization by participating in quality improvement activities.
2. Complies with all SDAIHC policies and procedures and proactively participates in the implementation of new initiatives.
3. Participate and ensures continuous quality improvement process as directed by clinic leadership.  

Safety:

1. Ensures regulatory compliance and adherence with policies and procedures related to safe work practices.
2. Participate in infection prevention through appropriate use of infection control measures during patient treatment and patient interactions.
3. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for maintaining physical spaces, equipment, and supplies.  

Safety: continue

1. Uses all appropriate equipment and/or tools to ensure workplace safety. 
2. Immediately reports unsafe working conditions. 

Privacy/Compliance:

1. Maintains privacy and security of all patients, employee, and volunteer information and access to such information. Such information is accessed on a need-to-know basis for business purposes only. 
2. Complies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Reports unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful behavior or activity.
3. Upholds strict ethical standards.

Flexibility: Available for all shifts and, when required, able to work evenings and weekends

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  This description reflects managements’ assignment of essential functions.  It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  This job description is subject to change at any time.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

Acknowledgement

San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.