Behavioral Health Clinical Support Specialist

Essen Medical Associates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Essen Medical Associates is seeking a Clinical Support Specialist to provide clinical and administrative support to psychiatry providers. The ideal candidate will assist with patient intake, documentation, and care coordination while ensuring HIPAA compliance. This role is crucial for delivering efficient behavioral health services.

The position requires healthcare experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency in EHR systems. Join us in making a difference in patient care!

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a healthcare clinical setting.
• Experience in behavioral health or psychiatry preferred.
• Experience with medical insurance prior authorization processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient intake appointments and maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Prepare patients for psychiatric evaluations and support televised appointments.
• Generate clinical correspondence and submit prior authorization requests.

Skills

Strong understanding of HIPAA regulations

Proficiency with healthcare documentation

Excellent organizational skills

Strong written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Spanish speaking

Education

Medical Assistant certification (CMA, RMA, or equivalent)

Completion of formal Clinical Assistant training program

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Company Overview: At Essen Health Care, we care for that!

As the largest privately held multispecialty medical group in the Bronx, we provide high-quality, compassionate, and accessible medical care to some of the most vulnerable and under‑served residents of New York State. Guided by a Population Health model of care, Essen has five integrated clinical divisions offering urgent care, primary care, and specialty services, as well as nursing home staffing and care management. Founded in 1999, our over 20‑year commitment has fueled an unwavering dedication toward innovating a better healthcare delivery system. Essen has expanded from a single primary care office to an umbrella organization offering specialties from women's health to endocrinology, from psychiatry to a vast array of other specialties. All clinical services are offered via telehealth or in‑person at over 35 medical offices and at home through the Essen House Calls program.

Essen Health Care is the place Where Care Comes Together! We are looking for the most talented and effective individuals to join our rapidly growing company. With over 1,100 employees and 400+ Practitioners, we care for over 250,000 patients annually in New York City and beyond. From medical providers to administration & operational staff, there is a career here for you. Join our team today!

Job Summary

Position Title: Clinical Support Specialist

Job Summary: The Clinical Support Specialist provides comprehensive clinical and administrative support to psychiatry providers. This role is essential to the efficient delivery of behavioral health services, supporting psychiatrists and other behavioral health providers with patient care coordination, clinical documentation, prior authorizations, and administrative tasks. The incumbent will facilitate seamless patient experiences across Televisits, In‑person intakes, screenings, and ongoing psychiatric and therapeutic care while maintaining strict HIPAA compliance and clinical documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Support & Patient Care
• Assist with patient intake appointments, including vital signs collection, patient history documentation, and preliminary screening questionnaires
• Prepare patients for psychiatric evaluations and sessions, explaining procedures and setting appropriate expectations. Support televised psychiatric appointments by ensuring proper technology setup, patient privacy, and clinical environment preparation
• Conduct standardized behavioral health screenings and assessments under provider direction (PHQ-9, GAD-7 etc.)
• Develop and maintain standardized training sessions, schedules, and curricula tailored to provider role for new providers
• Document patient interactions, clinical observations, and vital signs in the Electronic Health
• Record (EHR) system with accuracy and timeliness
• Assist with interventional Psychiatry procedures including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Coordinate care transitions
• Generate and maintain clinical correspondence including patient letters, referral documents, and clinical summaries
• Prepare and submit prior authorization requests for psychiatric medications and treatments to insurance carriers
• Track medication authorization status and communicate updates to providers and patients
• Manage form completion including consent forms, treatment planning documents, and clinical assessment templates
• Maintain HIPAA compliance in all patient interactions
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient information and protected health information (PHI)
• Serve as liaison between patients and behavioral health care team
• Facilitate care coordination with other behavioral health providers, primary care physicians, and community resources

Qualifications

Education

• Medical Assistant certification (CMA, RMA, or equivalent) preferred
• Completion of formal Clinical Assistant training program preferred

Experience

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a healthcare clinical setting
• Experience in behavioral health, mental health, or psychiatry preferred
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems required
• Experience with medical insurance prior authorization processes preferred
• Familiarity with telehealth platforms and virtual care delivery preferred

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of HIPAA regulations and patient privacy requirements
• Proficiency with healthcare documentation standards and terminology
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with ability to multitask
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for patient and provider interaction
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment
• Attention to detail, particularly with clinical documentation and prior authorizations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Spanish speaking preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer

Essen Health care is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we seek candidates who desire to work in and serve an ethnically diverse population.