Medical Assistant - Behavioral Health

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision and within established scope of practice, assists the Behavioral Health Providers with examinations, treatments, and special procedures of patients as directed by San Ysidro Health policies and procedures in a clinic setting. This position is a blend of clinical and administrative duties that range from answering telephones, greeting patients and explaining behavioral health procedures/services. Position encompasses assistance amongst different Behavioral Health specialties which include: Psychiatry, Therapy and Substance Use Disorder/Addiction Medicine.

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 Required (Minimum level of experience):

• Completion of externship required by Medical Assisting Program.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish, Tagalog 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.

Equipment Used:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Power point, Microsoft Word, Excel including pivot tables, Outlook) and typing speed of 55 wpm or above preferred.

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.

About Us San Ysidro Health is a Federally Qualified Health Care organization committed to providing high quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable healthcare services for the entire family. The organization was founded by seven women in search of medical services for their families and community. Almost 50 years later, San Ysidro Health now provides innovative care to over 108,000 patients through a vast and integrated network of 47 program sites across the county. San Ysidro Health could not serve our patients without the dedication of our passionate and hardworking employees. Apply today and become a part of our mission-driven team! San Ysidro Health has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment. Employment decisions including, but not limited to, those such as employee selection, performance evaluation, administration of benefits, working conditions, employee programs, transfers, position changes, training, disciplinary action, compensation, and separations are made without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, domestic partnership status, ancestry, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, civil union status, family status, age, mental or physical disability (including AIDS or HIV-related status), atypical heredity cellular or blood trait of an individual, genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.