Behavioral Health Medical Assistant

Description

Summary:

Provides direct patient care in ambulatory primary care and behavioral health services. Also responsible for coordinating and processing referrals for behavioral health services, ensuring timely access to care for patients.. Assists with Behavioral Health Providers (BHP), Psychiatric Medication Management, and tele-psychiatry visits, as necessary, and helps coordinate patient flow. This person is instrumental in assisting Behavioral Health Providers in clinical and insurance related areas. 

Qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provides direct patient care at each MLMC site (Oakland, Grantsville, Westernport and Bruceton) by gathering history, taking vital signs. 
2. In addition, reviews the current medication regimen, allergies, past visit summary, and (if applicable) specialist reports.
3. Provides clerical support to behavioral health staff. This includes answering phones, taking messages, assisting with patient forms, conducting follow up and no show calls, scheduling/rescheduling all psychiatry and behavioral health patients, when needed, arranging patient transportation when needed, and communicating any other clinical information as directed by the provider.
4. Participates in daily pre-visit planning ensuring protocols and tasks are addressed and responded to in a timely manner.
5. Assists in maintaining accurate electronic health records, including appropriate documentation of phone calls and outcomes while always maintaining patient confidentiality.
6. Assists patient and provider in preparation for visits including insurance verification and authorizations as needed.
7. Manages Behavioral Health referrals to include internal warm hand-offs in addition to coordinating external behavioral health specialist visits for patients that have been referred by MLMC provider.
8. Assists with refilling psychotropic medications while following Mountain Laurel Medical Center’s standing order protocol.
9. Helps patients to access available services (working in conjunction with the Care Coordinators and/or Community Health Workers, etc.) and assists in scheduling of ancillary or referred services.
10. Participates in team meetings, department meetings, in-services, practice management, and assists in development of workflow protocols.
11. Provides health education information, as directed by the providers, to patients during their appointment.
12. Helps ensure a smooth clinic operation, by escorting patients to exam rooms, ancillary services, etc.
13. Maintaining therapy/exam rooms to ensure a clean and orderly appearance.
14. Provides excellent patient centered customer service while being friendly and courteous to all employees and patients; can handle multiple tasks at once and has the ability to compassionately and empathetically care for patients.
15. Maintains working knowledge of insurance coverage specifications as it relates to patient care. Has the ability to distinguish the differences in coverage, charges and co-pays; uses that knowledge to determine appropriate services.
16. Assists as needed during medical emergencies.
17. Performs other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor and supports the organization as needed.
18. Comply with the established clinical policies and procedures that address established standards of medical care and ensure continuity of care that focuses on the health care needs of MLMC patients.
19. Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Mountain Laurel Medical Center in a manner consistent with the core values of patient-focused, respect, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and integrity.

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, skills and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position routinely deals with sensitive and confidential information and documents requiring the utmost privacy and confidentiality.

Education and Experience:

High school graduation or equivalent is required; diploma/certificate from an accredited Medical Assistant program. Current proof of registration and/or certificate from the State of Maryland required. Three years of experience and training or a combination of education and experience in a medical setting may substitute for CMA certificate. Interest in Behavioral Health. Current CPR certification is required.

Computer Literacy:

Knowledge of basic computer software and the willingness and ability to learn electronic medical records software.

Work Record:

A demonstrated work record showing good attendance, punctuality, dependability and the ability to work well with supervisors and coworkers as part of a team effort is essential. A medical office setting is an environment that requires the ability to relate to all types of people while always maintaining a professional demeanor.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals is essential. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence, and the ability to speak effectively to patients, co-workers and the public at large is paramount.

Reasoning Ability:

Must be able to demonstrate the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Team Work:

An essential element is the ability to work and interact effectively and positively with other staff members to build and enhance teamwork in a patient centered team based model of care and in the overall MLMC organization; team engagement is a must to be successful in this position.

Sensitivity to the Needs of Special Populations:

Must be able to demonstrate the ability to understand and respond appropriately, effectively and sensitively to special population groups served by MLMC. Special population groups include those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic standing, disability, religion, etc.

Understanding of HealthCare laws and Regulations:

Must have the ability to follow HIPAA guidelines as well as an understanding of policies and procedures regarding medical records put in place by the Federal Government.

Physical Demands:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to drive, sit and stand for long periods of time, handle papers, type and operate computer equipment; reach with hands and arms; talk, see and hear.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical, outpatient clinic environment and possibly at locations outside the office. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.