Cert Medical Assistant - FHARPS

Lives Change Here! We are GROWING…Columbia River Mental Health Services provides comprehensive behavioral health and recovery services that transform the lives of children, adults and families in the communities of SW Washington. We are the largest and oldest not-for-profit provider of mental/chemical dependency treatment in southwest Washington with 200 employees and a history dating back to 1942.

Our Mission: Providing behavioral health and recovery services that transform the lives of children, adults, and families in the communities of SW Washington.

Why Work Here?

CRMHS offers AMAZING benefits aside from health and wellness (medical/dental/vision etc.) Work life balance benefits: 11 total paid holidays per year, including 2 paid floating holidays available upon hire, 24 days of PTO days in the first year and only increases from there! Career development: $325 annual allowance for career development and education with an additional 40 hours of paid time off for career development/education! And so many More!

Starting Pay Range - $25.88 - $28.03 /hr

Summary:

The Certified Medical Assistant (MA) provides integrated clinical, outreach, and care coordination support to clients enrolled in the FHARPS (Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services) Program, FPATH, and OCRP services. Working closely with the FHARPS ARNP and FHARPS Housing team, the MA delivers community-based services to individuals involved in the Trueblood system of care, many of whom experience serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, homelessness, housing instability, and involvement with the criminal legal system.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the FHARPS ARNP to support assessment, treatment, medication management, and ongoing healthcare needs of enrolled clients.
• Obtain and document vital signs, health histories, and other clinical information during office visits and community-based encounters.
• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas that may be utilized by the FHARPS medical team.
• Maintain records as needed and assist with medication monitoring activities.
• Monitor and report client symptoms, side effects, health concerns, and changes in functioning to the FHARPS ARNP and treatment team.
• Administer intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections in accordance with state regulations and agency protocols.
• Collect blood, urine, and other specimens for diagnostic testing as directed.
• Screen and follow up on laboratory and diagnostic test results under the direction of a licensed healthcare practitioner.
• Assist licensed medical staff with prescription refills, insurance prior authorizations, and medication-related coordination in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.

Community-Based Outreach and Engagement

• Assist clients with accessing primary care, specialty care, behavioral health treatment, substance use treatment, and community resources.
• Support continuity of care during transitions from hospitals, jails, competency restoration programs, and other systems of care.

Care Coordination

• Coordinate care with internal and external medical providers, behavioral health providers, housing agencies, community partners, legal system stakeholders, and informal support systems to facilitate integrated, whole-person care.
• Request, obtain, track, and maintain medical records and clinical reports from external providers to support continuity of care.
• Support communication between healthcare providers, housing providers, case managers, peer counselors, and other team members.
• Participate in treatment planning and team meetings to support client recovery goals and housing stability.

Documentation and Administrative Support

• Monitor, listen to, and return voicemail and electronic messages; triage inquiries appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Complete all documentation, charting, outreach notes, care coordination activities, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) entries accurately and within required timelines.
• Maintain compliance with agency, state, federal, Medicaid, and program-specific documentation requirements.
• Ensure client records are complete, accurate, and maintained according to confidentiality standards.

Client Rights and Safety

• Demonstrate knowledge of client rights and maintain an atmosphere that promotes dignity, respect, privacy, recovery, and self-determination.
• Utilize trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches when interacting with clients and community partners.
• Perform all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety, infection control, and risk management procedures.
• Assist in identifying and responding appropriately to health concerns, crisis situations, and safety risks.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the FHARPS Program Director, FHARPS Program Manager, or designee.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Active Washington State Certified Medical Assistant (MA-C) credential required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in behavioral health, social services, community healthcare, outreach services, or related human services field preferred.
• Valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and ability to travel extensively throughout the community.
• Ability to pass required background checks, including criminal justice, jail, and other facility-specific clearances as required.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage individuals experiencing serious mental illness, substance use disorders, homelessness, and criminal legal system involvement.
• Working knowledge of chronic mental illness, co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral health treatment systems, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Understanding of the Trueblood population and challenges related to community stabilization, housing retention, and treatment engagement preferred.
• Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to person-centered, recovery-focused care.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, families, healthcare providers, housing providers, criminal justice partners, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated assessment, critical thinking, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in community settings while maintaining effective communication with the treatment team.
• Strong organizational skills, time management abilities, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a community-based behavioral health environment.
• Flexible, adaptive, and responsive to changing client and program needs.
• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR), Microsoft Office applications, and other healthcare technology systems as assigned.

Physical 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 reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and remain active for extended periods during community outreach and client visits.
• Ability to drive and travel frequently throughout the service area.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate medical equipment, collect specimens, administer injections, and utilize computer systems.
• Ability to safely navigate community-based environments, including housing sites, shelters, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
• Work environment includes office, clinical, and community settings with potential exposure to infectious materials and behavioral health crises.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CRMHS is committed to building an equitable and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds belong and thrive, and a culture that encourages, supports, celebrates and centers the diverse voices of our employees & clients. We believe that diversity is multivariate and includes race, ethnicity, gender & gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, citizenship, national origin, familial status, genetics, religious beliefs, socioeconomic class, physical status, neurodiversity and parental status. 

PER COMPANY POLICY - ALL HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES MUST BE EITHER COVID-19 VACCINATED -OR- HAVE A MEDICAL/RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

IF EXTENDED AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT WITHIN OUR COMPANY, CANDIDATE MUST PROVIDE PROOF TO BE COMPLIANT (COVID VACCINE CARD OR MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION) IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS.