Medical Assistant Psychiatry/Full time/Wallingford

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a health system dedicated exclusively to medical rehabilitation. We provide inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to the most advanced state of recovery they can achieve. Our Mission: To enhance health, maximize function, and transform lives. Our values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. These values guide us in providing quality patient care and transforming the lives of our patients. 

SUMMARY:      

The Medical Assistant Psychiatry supports behavioral health services through a combination of clinical intake, medication coordination, and administrative responsibilities. Working under the direction of licensed medical and behavioral health providers, the Medical Assistant assists with patient screening, documentation, prior authorization processing, and coordination of care activities within the psychiatry program. The role also supports scheduling, patient flow, and clinic operations to ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with Gaylord Hospital policies and procedures.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Category:  Clinical intake and patient support

• Conducts patient intake for each visit, including medical history review, behavioral health history, current symptoms, and medication reconciliation.
• Obtains and documents baseline clinical data (vital signs, weight, pain score) and behavioral health screening results (for example, PHQ-9, GAD-7 or other approved tools) according to established protocol.​
• Assists with patient flow and exam/chart preparation.

 Category: Medication and benefits coordination

•  Assists in relaying medication refill requests and patient questions to the LIP.
• Initiates and tracks prior authorizations for psychiatric and other medications through payers and pharmacy benefit managers, including gathering required clinical information and communicating status to patients and providers.​
• Coordinates with pharmacies, payers, and internal billing/benefits staff to resolve coverage issues, formulary substitutions, and medication access barriers.​
• Monitors return of lab and test results related to psychotropic medications (for example, metabolic labs, drug levels, toxicology screens) and ensures results are available to providers before or at the time of patient visits.
• Initiates, submits, and tracks prior authorizations and reauthorizations for psychiatric and other prescribed medications, obtaining required clinical documentation from providers.
• Communicates with insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmacies to resolve denials, step‑therapy requirements, and formulary issues, escalating complex cases to the appropriate supervisor or billing staff.

Category: Documentation and Care Coordination

•  Reviews patient charts for completeness, ensuring that consents, screening tools, problem lists, allergies, and medication lists are up to date.
• Accurately documents all clinical and administrative encounters in the EMR, including vital signs, screenings, specimen collections, patient education, and benefits/authorization activities, in compliance with HIPAA and hospital standards.
• Schedules appointments, assists with referrals, and provides clear instructions to patients regarding follow-up, testing, and medication-related next steps.​

 Category:  Clinic Operations and professional support

• Maintains clinical areas in a clean, safe manner. 
• Monitors and arranges for proper disposal of lab specimens, sharps, and medical waste in accordance with infection control and OSHA requirements.
• Provides general clerical support, including answering phones, checking patients in/out, verifying insurance information, and assisting with forms and paperwork, as needed.

• Participates in required trainings and professional development activities including safety, infection control, confidentiality, and behavioral health education.
• Engages in ongoing learning to strengthen skills in behavioral health support, medication coordination, and benefits processes.

ICARE values

•  Innovation: Embracing creativity and new ideas to improve behavioral health processes and outcomes.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others to achieve shared goals in patient‑centered integrated care.
• Inclusion: Fostering an environment where all patients, families, and staff feel valued and supported, with attention to cultural and linguistic needs in mental health services.
• Safety: Prioritizing the psychological and physical safety of patients, staff, and the community, including suicide prevention, de‑escalation, and trauma‑informed care.
• Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency in all clinical documentation, informed consent, and inter-professional communication.
• Compassion: Showing empathy and kindness, particularly during psychiatric crises and periods of emotional distress.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and outcomes, including adherence to regulatory standards and ethical practice.
• Respect: Treating others with dignity and consideration, valuing their perspectives and contributions to recovery.
• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in psychiatric assessment, treatment, education, and collaboration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduate and completion of an accredited Medical Assistant training program.
• Minimum one year experience in an acute care, outpatient, primary care, or behavioral health setting required.​
• Experience working with behavioral health populations strongly preferred.
• Certified or Registered Medical Assistant credential preferred, but not required.
• Experience with an electronic practice management system and EMR required. 

HOURS:

Monday-Friday/Full-time

We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer