Medical Assistant

Essential Functions

Medical Assistant Client Care Activities

• Assists Nurse in conducting client assessment of health, mental status, physical health, substance use, social development, and daily living skills.
• Schedules, and administers medical assessments of client physical health, making referrals to community physicians as appropriate and coordinating psychiatric treatment with medical treatment as appropriate.
• Provides direct clinical services to clients and/or groups related to topics that may include, but are not limited to, symptom management/education, daily living skills, hygiene, physical health, nutrition/food education, social skills, and community resources.
• Conducts Travel / Transportation as appropriate related to client needs including, home visits, client appointments, hospital visits, pharmacy visits.
• Provides symptom education to clients and staff as appropriate on topics including but not limited to psychopharmacology, mental health conditions/symptoms, physical health conditions/symptoms, wellness, and safety.
• Provides on-call intervention as required.

Prescriber Support

• Arrangements for required lab work as appropriate.
• Process refill request includes review of client chart, assessment of appropriateness of request, and consult with prescriber as required.
• Completes prior authorization for medication processing (includes review of client chart, assessment of med need & potential alternatives, consult with prescriber)
• Under direction/supervision of Nurse, completes in-person assessment including physical assessment of symptoms, presentation, vitals, etc. and communicates information to prescribers.

Medications and Medication Room Support

• Under direction of nurse, properly maintains, disposes of, and orders medications.
• Awareness and support of tracking and security of medications including controlled substances.
• Under director of nurse, receiving and disseminating medication in accordance with agency and pharmacy requirements.
• Participates in providing medication administration and medical services as appropriate including injection administration.
• Assures that all needed medical supplies are appropriately stocked and medication orders/changes are noted and ordered in a timely fashion.
• Assist nurse with preparation and ongoing compliance related licensing requirements including pharmacy audits and state med room licensure.

Service Team Approach

• Demonstrating the ability to recognize and identify symptoms of mental illness and substance use.
• Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary team approach to treatment and recovery.
• Consults and coordinates with internal and external providers and relevant treatment team members to maintain coordination in the treatment process.

Outreach, Engagement, Follow-Up

• Providing comprehensive outreach and follow up to all assigned individuals including contact attempts over the phone, in-person, in the home etc.
• Demonstrating the ability to engage and develop rapport with individuals presenting with a variety of symptoms/presentations.

Cultural Competence and Diversity

• Providing services that are person-centered.
• Providing services that are culturally relevant.
• Providing a non-judgmental, open, and welcoming approach to diverse populations.

Documentation

• Documenting all services provided within expected time frames.
• Documenting all services provided in a manner that meets service definitions, regulatory standards, and agency expectations.
• Documenting all services provided in a manner that is person-centered and meets quality improvement goals.

Efficiency and Productivity

• Demonstrating excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrating effective use of time management techniques.
• Demonstrating the use of effective engagement skills.
• Consistently meeting established productivity standards.

Staff Development Activities

• Participating in and completing all required trainings in an accurate and timely manner.
• Identifying and requesting training or skill enhancement opportunities.
• Engaging in cross-training activities with other team members.
• Attending and participating in required meetings and supervision sessions.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply supervisory recommendations to work performance.

Other: Completes other administrative support duties and special projects as developed and assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Medical Assistant certification
• At least 1 year relevant experience working with the severely mentally ill in an inpatient or outpatient psychiatric setting preferred.
• Knowledge of psychotic and mood disorders, their related medications and potential side effects, required strongly preferred.
• Valid drivers' license and meets the driving privileges guidelines established in HR Policy 12.6 "Vehicle Safety and Client Transportation."

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to manage time to meet all deadlines.
• Ability to recognize and identify symptoms of mental illness and suicide and risk potential and respond appropriately.
• Good verbal and written skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred but not required.