Psych Medical Assistant

Description

Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that offers comprehensive, integrated, and affordable healthcare services to people in need. We serve over 40,000 neighbors with a variety of services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, preventive health, eligibility assistance, and health education programs.

At NOAH, we are dedicated to promoting the overall wellness of our employees by fostering a supportive and balanced work environment. We understand the importance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and we strive to create a workplace where our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making a difference in our community while enjoying a fulfilling and rewarding career.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Psychiatric Medical Assistant is a medical assistant who also qualifies as a Behavioral Health Technician I (BHT I), under the direct supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional (BHP). The Psychiatric Medical Assistant assist the psychiatric provider by preparing patients for appointments, taking vital signs, updating medical records, assisting with procedures, managing administrative tasks, and providing patient education, all while demonstrating empathy and understanding of mental health conditions. In addition, this role coordinates care between both internal and external care teams, assists with case management services to address barriers to care, and is responsible for outreach, engagement, and patient closures.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Works in a team model to improve the patient's experience, create better communication and access to care, and support processes that will improve patient satisfaction.

• Prepares patients for examination, takes vitals, and records patients' health history.

• Sets-up EKG machines, administers injections and medications, and performs routine specimen collection and tests.

• Prepares equipment and examination rooms and cleans instruments.

• Assists provider with medical treatments, procedures, and exams.

• Manages inventory of medical supplies and equips exam rooms with appropriate supplies.

• Receives and directs phone calls, schedules appointments, and performs patient check-in, ensuring necessary patient information is obtained and patient records are up to date.

• Checks-out patients, assists with referral processing, and arranges laboratory services.

• Organizes and communicates with insurance companies for authorizations for treatment, testing and specialist referrals.

• Attends, participates, and/or assists in meetings, trainings, community outreach activities, continuing education opportunities, and other activities as required.

• Engages with patients and families for outreach, scheduling, and close out of services per protocols.

• Supports and collaborates with assigned clinicians/providers on caseloads and identified needs.

• Assist patients with access to covered services as outlined in the patient’s service plan to address an identified clinical need.

• Outreach and follow-up of crisis contacts and missed appointments that include clinically pertinent and substantive contact.

• Participation in care team patient staffing.

• Adheres to all rules and regulations regarding patient confidentiality and patient rights as outlined in contracts, NOAH policy, and State and Federal regulations.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education:

• High school diploma OR GED 1-year behavioral health experience OR Bachelor’s degree with a behavioral health focus required.

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  Certifications/Licensure/ETC.:

• Certified or Registered Medical Assistant OR completion of a Medical Assistant program that meets the BOMEX training guidelines OR completion of a United States Armed Forces medical services training program OR meet necessary guidelines as described in Arizona Board of Medical Examiners Administrative Code, Title 4, Chapter 16, Article 4, Section R4-16-401, paragraphs A and B prior to start date.

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  Other Skills:

• New Hires are required to pass pre-employment background check and drug testing (effective 11/1/2022).

• Current Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card or must pass fingerprint clearance within 7 days following hire

• Demonstrated basic understanding of the psychiatric environment, psychiatric terminology, mental health diagnoses, and treatment modalities.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact with individuals of various social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. 

• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgment. 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

• Ability to read, write and speak English; Spanish in addition preferred.