Medical Assistant - Outpatient Behavioral Health

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Schedule : Full Time

Benefits :

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

About

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Volunteers of America, Utah’s mission is to provide community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of agency prescribers and Division Director of Treatment Services, the Medical Assistant/Care Navigator performs routine administrative and clinical support functions to assist the prescribers including: answering phones, scheduling appointments, facilitating client communication with prescribers, tracking and managing referrals for medication management services or primary care services, and assisting clients in tracking their medication. The Medical Assistant/Care Navigator will also provide support to enhance prescriber appointment utilization, administer injections and collect labs as needed, as well as connect clients with appropriate services and providers to facilitate access to care to support their behavioral health recovery as well as their overall health and wellbeing.

Essential Duties

• Act as a support person for the APRNs. Facilitate communication between prescribers and clients as well as between prescribers and other clinic staff.
• Manage the APRNs’ appointment schedule to capacity and eliminate no-shows, including scheduling appointments, making reminder calls, and rescheduling as needed.
• Track clients’ medications and assist in completing patient assistance applications.
• Facilitate medication refills when needed and appropriate. Provide medication injections and draw labs when needed.
• Engage and build rapport with clients, assist with referrals to link and connect clients with services and resources including primary care, mental health treatment, addiction treatment, recovery support, employment specialists, housing specialists and other social supports.
• Coordinate care with existing internal and external providers at the point of admission, discharge and level of care changes. Track and facilitate referrals to PCPs.
• Screen and monitor clients’ common co-morbidities while also educating both consumers and other team members on potential side effects of treatments and medications to support safe, informed care.
• Communicate and coordinate care with other medical professionals (e.g., pharmacy employees, medication representatives, other treatment providers).
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively on the phone, in writing and via email, as well as the ability to exercise discretion on sensitive and confidential matters.
• Maintain records according to requirements, completing all documentation and billing in a timely manner, and in compliance with professional standards.
• Maintain professional boundaries and client confidentiality at all times.
• Attend work on a punctual, regular, and predictable basis.

Secondary Duties

• Maintain good professional relationships with appropriate community figures, referral sources, and other professionals. Coordinate and schedule with pharmaceutical representatives as needed.
• Maintain and enhance professional skills and knowledge through attending conferences/ workshops/courses and reading professional materials that are relevant to job requirements and approved by the Program Director. Maintain any and all continuing education requirements in order to maintain the therapist's professional level and status.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and adherence to Utah laws regarding confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct professional life in accordance with the standards of his/her discipline and the clinical policies and procedures of the agency.
• Maintain familiarity with issues and trends in the behavioral health field including comorbid mental health issues, advances in psychopharmacology, theory, and evidence-based practices.
• Performs other functions as necessary or assigned.

Requirements:

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Successful completion of an Accredited Medical Assistant program and a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of multiple phone line systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and clients.
• Experience in an outpatient mental health setting preferred.
• Demonstrates an ability to use sound judgment within the scope of the position’s responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and adapt to change.
• Organized, detail-oriented, self-starter.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail.
• Demonstrated skills in crisis intervention.
• Driving is required: must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Must be able to pass Utah-DHS – Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screen.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
• Ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to move around the facility, interacting with clients for extended periods.
• Work is performed inside and outside of an office environment; must have ability to climb stairs, enter client homes, as well as deliver services in shelter, on the street, etc.