Medical Assistant - Felton Institute

Medical Assistant

Early Psychosis - Alameda

Agency Overview
Founded in 1889, the Felton Institute (formerly Family Service Agency of San Francisco) has a history of innovation in services for vulnerable children, families, and adults. Felton’s mission is to respond to human needs with cutting edge social services and treatment that combine the best social science research with cultural sensitivity, a deep respect for the consumer, and a commitment to social justice. With over 46 programs in more than 15 languages at sites throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding counties, our comprehensive array of services reaches across all racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic lines. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where staff are encouraged to increase their skills and enter new domains.

Program Description
Felton Institute’s Early Psychosis award winning program (re)MIND® (formerly PREP) was originally developed in partnership with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). (re)MIND® is a coordinated specialty care (CSC) model for early detection and treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. (re)MIND® core evidence-based practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Strength-Based Care Management, Multi-family Group Therapy, Peer Support, Algorithm-Based Medication Management and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported education and employment. The (re)MIND® model has two additional components, Felton BEAM UP® and BEAM, for individuals at clinical high risk of developing psychosis (CHR), and for individuals diagnosed with bipolar or mood disorders with psychotic features, respectively. Funded through partnerships with county behavioral health departments, the Felton Early Psychosis Division operates outpatient coordinated specialty care for early psychosis programs in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Monterey, and Marin, and offers excellent training and workforce development.

Position Overview
Under the direct supervision of the nurse practitioner, the medical assistant performs administrative, clerical, and technical supportive services and is responsible for assisting in providing care to program participants. The medical assistant promotes positive client engagement and provides services in the outpatient mental health clinic setting and/or at community locations (e.g., home visits). Local travel expected.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Schedule client appointments and send reminders before appointments
• Call clients 48 hours after being prescribed new medication to follow up (e.g., ensure pick up, assess tolerance)
• Administer Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics
• Administer TB and Covid Tests
• Take vital signs and monitor height/weight
• Ensure medication storage complies with County behavioral health and Medi-CAL standards
• Assist with medication adherence (e.g., home visits to set up pill boxes, calling pharmacies to confirm dispense date)
• Submit Prior Authorization and TAR (Treatment Authorization Request) forms for Call pharmacies to follow up on status.
• Register clients in Quest Diagnostics E-Prescribing system for lab orders
• Send reminders to get labs done in between appointments; identify and assist with barriers to completing labs
• Schedule multispecialty care coordination meetings for the psychiatrist and outside medical team (e.g., PCP, neurology, endocrinology, sleep medicine)
• Assist with connecting clients to PCPs if they do not already have one, scheduling appointments with PCP, scheduling dental appointments
• Obtain resources and coordinate care around nutrition, diet planning, exercise, smoking cessation, and other health related issues
• Request outside medical records prior to initial psychiatric evaluations and as needed throughout treatment
• Send Medical Intake forms to new clients to be completed before initial assessment
• Assist with completing clerical tasks (SSI, Student Disability Services, insurance forms, etc.)
• Collaborate and coordinate services with multidisciplinary team
• Attend and participate in all assigned trainings for professional, program, and agency development
• Additional duties as needed 

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Possession of a valid certificate from an accredited medical assistant training program
• At least 2 years of experience in healthcare settings. Experience working in behavioral health setting preferred.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, Quest Diagnostics online e-prescribing system, familiarity with electronic health records
• Personal or family experience of overcoming mental health challenges highly desirable
• Valid California Drivers’ License with a clean driving record. 

Competencies

• Superior customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals with medical/mental health disabilities
• Work effectively with patients and the multidisciplinary treatment team
• Adaptable, open to change, and able to tolerate
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and manage time
• Demonstrated experience as a team player with a welcoming
• Knowledge of respective county behavioral health department and community resources.
• Knowledge of County, State and Federal requirements for documentation and reporting, including MediCal/MediCare standards, CPT codes, etc.
• Bilingual/Bicultural and fluent in Spanish or Asian languages highly preferred, but not required. 

Physical Requirements, Use of Equipment, and Work Environment:
The position requires sitting at a desk approximately 50% of the time, with standing 20% and walking or driving 30% of the time. Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. Lifting may be required occasionally of no more than 20 lbs. at a time. Approximately 50% of the time the employee uses a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, mobile phone, fax machine, copier, and video conferencing equipment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is performed in an office environment and/or at various community locations and requires local travel.

SEND RESUMES TO: "jobs@felton.org"