Medical Assistant

PORTIA BELL HUME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND TRAINING CENTER (aka The Hume Center) has a rewarding opportunity for a qualified Medical Assistant under the leadership of The Hume Center’s Clinic Operations Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to help our organization to grow by continuing to develop this department.

MISSION: The Hume Center strives to create an environment of psychological well-being both internally for our work community and externally for the community we serve, with special consideration for the under- and un-served, through practicing an enabling consultation process. We believe in serving our community through strengthening existing and developing new resources; providing the highest caliber of culturally sensitive behavioral health services, professional training, and clinical research; and focusing on consistent improvement through outcomes, data-based quality assurance, and program evaluation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Administrative and Clinical Certification by California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCMA) preferred, but not required. 
2. Experience in clinical settings and/or community behavioral health settings preferred.
3. Knowledge of psychiatric illness and medications a plus.
4. Knowledge of community resources
5. Knowledge of the Local County Level Health System is helpful but not required.
6. Availability to work full-time, minimum 40 hours/week, five days a week, and be present on-site at the Hume Center.
7. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. 
8. Experience working effectively with culturally and socioeconomically diverse populations.
9. Must have a valid California driver’s license in good standing with proof of current auto insurance. Must be willing to use own vehicle and valid car insurance for work related travel.
10. Ability to pass pre-employment background check and Medical / TB clearance.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

1. Demonstrate high professionalism.
2. Use respectful communication and effective interpersonal skills with clients and staff.
3. Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
4. Work independently, proactively, reliably, and with minimal supervision.
5. Work effectively in collaboration with members of the clinical and administrative staffs.
6. Able to handle multiple demands and adapt appropriately to changing priorities.
7. Is willing to learn new job tasks.
8. Work well under pressure and is able to handle a crisis in a professional manner.
9. Is timely, concise, and detail-oriented.
10. Follow organizational policies, standards, and guidelines.
11. Is willing to learn new ways to participate in patient care.
12. Possess strong organizational skills.
13. Understand the nuances of ethics and confidentiality.
14. Possess a positive and encouraging attitude.

DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITES:

The Medical Assistant performs a variety of tasks that ensures efficient clinic functioning and to support the psychiatry team and behavioral health staff in providing patient care. 

Administrative Support

1. Handle telephone calls, faxes, and other correspondence.  Answer routine inquiries and provide general information regarding Hume services.
2. Follow clinic procedures regarding greeting and signing-in visitors, waiting room maintenance, office opening and closing, payment collection, bookkeeping, mail distribution, stocking office supplies, and coordinating room assignments.
3. Facilitate the psychiatry patient intake process, ensure that documentation is completed, and ensure all new patients receive and understand patients’ rights information.
4. Schedule and reschedule patient appointments, conduct reminder calls, and handle referrals for psychiatry patients.
5. Perform appropriate data entry into the electronic health record and state/county databases. 
6. Billing: Manage billing preparation, verify medical insurance, run eligibility for authorization of services, and collaborate with the billing department in a timely manner.
7. Respond to patient inquiries about insurance and communicate changes in eligibility.
8. Utilization Review: Manage the UR process for the psychiatry department, track authorization dates, and schedule patients to ensure ongoing service delivery.  
9. Medical Records: Collaborate with clinic staff to prepare charts, ensure proper forms are present, manage the filing of clinic documentation, manage the opening and closing of charts, maintain the chart room, and manage requests for release of records.
10. Maintain a safe working environment per clinic policy and help manage emergency situations including (but not limited to) earthquakes, electrical outages, fire, safety, etc.
11. Meet with assigned supervisors and program management as needed to review assignments and task completion.
12. Complete any assigned projects/tasks assigned by Supervisor(s) and/or the President.

Clinical Support

1. Collect updated health and/or medication history from psychiatric patients, prepare patients for examination, obtain vital signs, and explain treatment procedures to patients.
2. Assist the physician and/or nurse during exams, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
3. Collect and prepare laboratory specimens, and perform basic laboratory tests as directed by a physician.
4. Authorize prescription refills as directed.
5. Triage telephone calls from psychiatry patients, medical professionals, or community partners.
6. Document pharmacy exchanges and any linkage encounters as needed in a timely and accurate manner.
7. Assist the RN in fielding calls related to patient needs, pharmacy concerns, and laboratory follow-up.
8. Assist the RN in doing vital signs, administering long-acting injectable medications, and using the Athelas blood monitoring machine.
9. Attend weekly Psychiatry Team Meeting and communicate any clinical concerns.
10. Treat all patients with care, dignity, and respect.  Maintain patient confidentiality.  Follow HIPAA guidelines.
11. Assist with any other needed paperwork or services as requested by the clinical team and within the MA scope of practice.
12. Meet with assigned supervisor for weekly consultation, and to review assignments and task completion.
13. Fulfill any additional duties specified by the Medical Director, assigned Supervisor, and/or the President.