Medical Assistant - Behavior Health

Position Summary:  

The Behavior Health Medical Assistant (MA) is the liaison between the behavior healthcare provider and the patient, assisting both while gathering pertinent, timely and confidential information to ensure a positive patient encounter.  

Essential Functions:            

1. Prepares for the day in advance, including but not limited to schedule preparation and planning appointment needs prior to patient arrival
2. Helps the provider keep up with huddle patients
3. Greets and rooms patient, ensuring their comfort and answering questions as able
4. Performs all functions necessary to prepare for provider entry, including but not limited to:  obtaining vitals and chart preparation, update medication history as necessary
5. Performs lab draws if phlebotomist is not available
6. Discharges patient as necessary reiterating follow-up needs
7. Assists with additional office procedures as requested or required
8. Schedules appointments and faxes referrals to the appropriate facility for appointment or testing purposes
9. Retrieves, records, distributes or files incoming clinical information as necessary
10. Responds to information requests such as prior authorizations or precertifications and searches charts and/or EMRs to obtain the clinical information needed in order to complete and/or simplify paperwork as required
11. Helps the provider communicate results to the patient along with any additional information deemed appropriate or necessary to share
12. Performs and/or assists with training needs as requested or required
13. Cleans and stocks rooms; appropriately communicates needs for ordering purposes
14. Answers phones as necessary and checks messages; responding appropriately and in a timely fashion
15. Documents as necessary in patient’s chart and electronic medical record
16. Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Excellent communication skills; active listening as well as written and oral comprehension/communication skills; Gives full attention to what individuals are saying, understands the point being made, asks appropriate questions to gain better knowledge of situation(s) and repeats information to ensure understanding
2. Excellent customer service skills; actively seeks ways to assist internal and external customers within the scope of assigned duties
3. Good basic mathematical skills; uses a calculator or other means to accurately figure all transactions
4. Good computer skills; Outlook, Windows, Microsoft Office applications; EMR exposure preferred
5. Good time management skills; self evaluates the use of time and understands how others may be affected
6. Cultural diversity awareness and skills; respects all people regardless of race, nationality or social standing
7. Ability to work independently (self motivating) and as a team member
8. Ability to develop a collaborative therapeutic alliance with individuals and make accurate professional judgments
9. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, providers, managers, patients and vendors
10. Familiarity with local community resources for patients with chronic disease
11. Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention methods related to routine health care and teaching methods designed to address the needs of patients with chronic, disabling health conditions
12. Familiarity with Patient-Centered-Medical-Home concepts
13. Problem sensitivity skills; empathetic/understanding
14. Deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills
15. Organized and detail oriented
16. Bilingual (Spanish/English) language skills helpful

Education, Experience and Licensure:

1. Medical Assistant Certification required
2. 2 to 3 years clinical experience; behavior health experience preferred
3. Minimum High School Diploma, Associates Degree preferred

Physical Demands:

1. May sit and/or stand for long periods of time
2. May require full range of body motion including bending, stretching and kneeling or squatting
3. May occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbs.
4. Must be able to see and hear in normal range with or without correction device(s)
5. Dexterity and hand to eye coordination as normally associated with operating office equipment, computers and telephones

Work Environment:

1. Employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxins or caustic chemicals, 
2. Potential risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and risk of infectious diseases 
3. Fast-paced potentially stressful office environment
4. Noise level in this environment is usually moderate