Behavioral Health Assistant (Closing: April 6, 2025)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSISTANT

FT/REGULAR

NE - LEVEL 8

SALARY: $20.13

GENERAL DEFINITION: The primary purpose of this position is to provide a variety of technical support in the day-to-day operation of the Behavioral Health Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: No Supervisory Duties.

DUTIES:

Assist the clinic staff in the delivery of services.

• Screen incoming calls to obtain information to determine if the caller is an urgent or emergent clinical need and refers to appropriate personnel or staff member. Take messages and conveys to director or other providers in a timely manner.
• Ensure patients are notified promptly of appointments by mail and/or telephone contact, as needed. Coordinate with CHR or PHN for outreach to patients as needed.
• Administer intake forms to patients and provides assistance to patients in completing them.
• Utilizes Electronic Health record for data entry.
  • Enters patient documentation including vital signs, weight, high risk patient contacts.
  • Inputs the scores from rating scales such as the PHQ-9, and the GAD-7.
  • Uses the Electronic Health Record to assemble admission packets for psychiatric hospitalizations, group home placements, and transfers to other health care facilities.
• Provides medical support by performing basic patient screening
  • Measure height, weight, and vital signs.
  • Administer and score questionnaires such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and others.
  • Notify provider or nurse of abnormal values in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient care, visits, reports, telephone calls and to comply with HIPAA regulations and contract requirements.

Assist with case management as assigned for Behavioral Health Clinic.

• Coordination with 988 services, IHS Emergency Department, Health Plan Care Coordinators, and outside Behavioral Health Facilities as needed.
• Follow up on referrals as assigned for patients that may have been referred and provide a status update to clinical staff.
• Assist with updating medical records, organizing medical records and updating filing system for records retention and disposition in accordance with tribal and federal/state retention and disposition laws.
• Direct patients to pharmacy or lab as needed, and ensure lab results and outside medications are obtained and recorded in EHR.
• Charting all assessments, treatment plans, writing reports and progress notes.
• Compiles and maintains appropriate records and logs.
• Provide support in crisis situations and refer to appropriate care provider.
• Assist in locating and arranging referral to specialty behavioral health care services and follow-up to determine if the services have adequately addressed the person’s needs.
• Prepares monthly analysis and statistical narrative reports.

Performs a variety of clinic clerical work.

• Assists and covers the duties of the department clerk when needed. Such duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Greeting visitors
  • Assisting with patient check-in
  • Patient registration
  • Maintaining provider schedules.
  • Receiving and routing mail, faxes, or interdepartmental communication.
  • Collecting health insurance information.
  • Assisting with inventory.

• Reviews clinic medical records following a health clinic visit for completeness, to verify and note the appropriate codes for medical diagnosis to be submitted for third party billing purposes.

Participates in the outreach activities.

• Attend staff meetings, tribal program meetings as assigned, events and activities for program representation and health promotion.

Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director or as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of clinical office practices and procedures. Knowledge of medical records management, retention and disposition. Ability to make independent judgements with minimum supervision. Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening and the ability to remain calm and respectful with agitated, anxious, or altered clients. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in both Zuni and English. Strong reading comprehension skills. Strong computer and clerical skills, including familiarity with Microsoft office suite, ability to input, maintain data in spreadsheet format and produce reports using these data. Ability to appropriately triage psychiatric cases according to severity and urgency. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all the tribal employees, collaborative partners and the general public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Associate’s Degree with two (2) years of clinical experience.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES: Must have a valid Driver’s License with no DWI/DUI convictions within the past three (3) years and must be insurable for liability purposes. Driving is an essential part of the duties.

• Must have CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or obtain within 90 days of employment.
• Medical Assistant Certificate encouraged

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Incumbent works in close proximity to patients where some degree of risks when working with emotionally disturbed and substance impaired individuals.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Position is subject to Pre-Employment drug testing. Position is Safety Sensitive and will be subject to random drug screening for duration of employment. Must undergo and pass a thorough background/character investigation check including FBI fingerprint check. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and confidential information. Must be able to handle stressful situations calmly.