Behavioral Health Medical Assistant Float

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Completes chart preparation and huddles with Provider to effectively plan for scheduled patients.
• Performs routine clerical functions as assigned (i.e. data entry, answering, screening, and directing phone calls as needed and scheduling appointments).
• Screenings include: PHQ9, GAD7, DAST, AUDIT, and others as needed
• Completes outreach utilizing recall lists and implements standing protocols to address care gaps.
• Interviews patients, measures vital signs, and verifying other pertinent information as required by specific clinic/program.
• Documents pertinent patient information, procedures and patient responses in patients' EHR, following established SYHealth guidelines and maintaining patient confidentiality. Documentation expectations include: In person interactions as well as phone interactions.
• Prepares treatment rooms and patients for examination.
• Applies principles of aseptic technique and infection control as directed by the Infection Control policy and procedures.
• Handles inventories and orders and replenishes medical supplies and materials throughout the day as needed.
• Performs point of care testing, including but not limited to urine tests.
• Maintains medication log/inventory for controlled substances prescribed to patients.
• For specialty BH Service, prepares exam rooms and patients for examination and assists provider during examinations as directed.
• For specialty BH Services, cleans and stocks exam rooms appropriately throughout various times of the day: start of the day after each patient, before leaving for lunch, at the end of the day, and as needed.
• Assist Behavioral Health Provider in monitoring patients in waiting room, and assist with coordination of care.
• Answers, screens and directs phone calls into department as needed.
• Appropriately schedule and/or reschedule patients’ follow-up/consult appointments according to Providers’ recommendations.
• Conducts follow-up phone calls to patients who “no show” to appointment and sends missed appointment letters if unable to reach them.
• Manages appointment wait list and promote timely access to care.
• Assist with triaging walk-in patients before they are seen by the BH Provider.
• Assists with all Behavioral Health patient referrals (i.e. in-house, outpatients, etc.).
• Provide medication reconciliation as needed.
• Provides information, education and support to patients and their families regarding behavioral health services.
• Serve as liaison between patients, their families and SYHealth’s BH clinical staff.
• Facilitates scheduling of translation services when needed to optimize patient care.
• Participates and responds, when assigned to clinical emergency codes.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides coverage at all sites as needed within the clinic and various other SYHealth’s clinics.
• Provides coverage for Psychology providers (3 providers to 1 MA), Psychiatry providers (1:1 ratio), and Substance Use Disorder/Addition Medicine providers (1:1 ratio).
• Assists in requesting, documenting and following up with record requests for BH specific purposes.
• Documents and keeps accurate charting of patient care given as required by the department and SYHealth.
• Assist with TARs and Prior Authorizations as needed.
• Facilitate patient access to appropriate behavioral, medical and/or specialty providers.
• Performs inhalation treatments, EKG, visual testing, and audiometric testing.
• Prepares and administers immunizations and medications (oral and injections) as directed by physician order and in accordance to SYHealth policy and procedure.
• Autoclave: cleaning, processing, sterilizing and checking of instruments.
• Immunization coordination: oversight and management of clinic’s routine and emergency vaccine plan.
• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures; objectives; quality assurance program; safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, in-service meetings and relevant trainings.
• Attends Department and SYHealth meetings as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Job Requirements

Education Required:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Completion of a course of study consistent with the requirements for Medical Assistants as specified by the Medical Board of California.

Certifications Required:

• Current BLS for Healthcare Provider CPR or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification (American Heart Association)

Experience Requirements:

• Completion of externship required by Medical Assisting Program.
• Minimum 1 year working as a medical assistant.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Must be bilingual in Spanish or Arabic languages.
• Ability to read, write and comprehend medical information and terminology.

• Ability to effectively present information, both verbal and written.

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Demonstrated ability to use personal computer.
• Demonstrated ability to use wheelchair, EKG, gurney table, vital machine, pulse oximeter, autoclave.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Continuous standing/walking/twisting.
• Occasionally lifts pushes and/or transfers patients.
• Exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness).
• May be required to travel to multiple sites
• Reliable transportation necessary for traveling to assist with providing coverage as needed throughout all SYHealth clinic locations.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.