Psychiatric Medical Assistant

at  St Johns Community Health

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Psychiatric Medical Assistant (Psych-MA) provides assistance with various healthcare services following established policies and protocols including but not limited to conducting routine lab studies, following up on lab scheduling and results, and assisting with administrative functions. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding for insurance purposes and linkages to address social determinants of health. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for psychiatric evaluations, completing assessments/screenings, and administering medications as directed by the provider. This position may assist in examination and treatment of patients, and may provide translation services for patients.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Medical Assistant Certificate required, with certification from an accredited program that meets ACA requirements strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of Medical and Psychiatry terminology.
• Strong charting/documentation skills.
• Experience in behavioral health or community mental health settings.
• Trained in mental health systems and diagnoses, including but not limited to substance use, suicide assessment, and other mental health topics, and their mandated reporting requirements.
• Experience working in underserved communities such as undocumented workers, unaccompanied minors, LGBTQ populations, communities of color, youth/adolescents, and those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and/or mental illness; and
• Bilingual English/Spanish required (read, write, and speak fluently).

Licensure/Certification - Employees are responsible for maintaining individual certifications as required by job function or by law and provide verification and recertification when requested by management:

• CPR certification.
• BCLS, OSHA, Phlebotomy, and First Aid Certification.
• Medical Assistant Certificate.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: PERSONAL - TEAM – ORGANIZATION:

• Interview patients, take vital signs (such as pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight and height) and record information.
• Properly utilize Electronic Health Records system, recording all required and/or relevant information in the system.
• Coordinate services and linkages between psychiatric patients and other departments, including IBH, medical, recovery, and programs.
• Complete ROIs and coordinate release of records with providers.
• Send Doxy invites to clients.
• Schedule, confirm, and follow-up on appointments.
• Document all contacts with patients in eCW.
• Ensure all consent forms are signed and uploaded to charts.
• Ensure clients have insurance information and notify front desk prior to visit.
• Complete screenings-including PhQ-9, GAD-7, ACES.
• Assist medical providers and psychiatrists in linkages to address social determinants of health.
• Read TX plan to ensure plan matches with orders; if not, notify psychiatrists via telephone encounter.
• Ensure medication orders are sent to pharmacy.
• Send patient education information to patient portal.
• Clean and sterilize instruments.
• Operate X rays, electrocardiograph (EKG), and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic test or call medical facility or department to schedule patients for tests.
• Give injections or treatments as directed by psychiatrists.
• Administer treatments (must be done only with licensed provider on premises).
• Document administration of medications in chart.
• Key data into computer to maintain office and patient records as necessary (Misys, LINK, eCW).
• Advise patients concerning preparation for lab tests.
• Call clients to schedule lab testing and follow-up on results.
• Call patients to provide normal and abnormal lab results.
• Perform lab proficiency testing, run in-house lab tests, prepare outside lab specimens, check lab orders and bills for accuracy.
• Keep logs: lead, medications, record refrigerator temperature and zero scales daily and abnormal TB results.
• Provide translation for providers or arrange for translation services.
• Ensure all documents are scanned into charts at end of day.
• Provide back-up to front desk responsibilities including receptionist duties, clerical duties such as filling out forms, answering telephones or filing.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) inputting prescriptions into patients chart.
• Practice Management System (PMS) Registration, Scheduling and Billing.
• File medical charts when needed.
• Maintain patient flow to reduce wait time.
• Participate in MA review of charts.
• Send out Medical Records when requested by other offices.
• Attend staff meetings, meetings, trainings, and other work-related events.
• Inventory and order medical supplies and materials.
• Notify Clinic Manager when supplies need to be ordered or when vaccines or medications are out.
• Serve as advocate for Indigent Program organizing forms for providers, instructing patients, helping patients complete forms and serving as liaison with drug companies.
• Comply with all personal medical requirements including but not limited to: annual physical, current vaccinations (MMR, Tdap, Influenza, Hepatitis B), and TB testing (skin test or chest x-ray).
• Other duties may be assigned or may be modified as business needs dictate.

Licensure/Certification - Employees are responsible for maintaining individual certifications as required by job function or by law and provide verification and recertification when requested by management:

• CPR certification.
• BCLS, OSHA, Phlebotomy, and First Aid Certification.
• Medical Assistant Certificate.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to be insured