Psychiatric Clinic Assistant

Dentonmhmr; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

DCMHMR’s Psychiatric Clinic seeks a Psychiatric Clinic Assistant (PCA) to work under supervision and provide entry-level to routine habilitative and rehabilitative patient care. You will support physicians, NPs, nurses, and front desk staff to coordinate services across outpatient clinics in Denton and Flower Mound.

Responsibilities include scheduling, documentation, patient check-in/out, teaching guidelines, telepsych coordination, labs processing, and emergency interventions (PMAB/CPR) when

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months clinical experience; Mental Health experience preferred.
• Background check must be clear per TAC/HHSC.
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance required.
• Out-of-state license must convert to TX within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Physicians, NPs, Nurses, and staff to ensure timely patient care.
• Prepare provider schedules and patient documents daily.
• Educate clients on clinic guidelines and crisis resources.
• Check in/out patients following clinic procedures.
• Process labs and documents; manage telepsych rooms.
• Provide emergency intervention (PMAB, CPR) when needed.
• Participate in Zero Suicide Initiative.

Skills

Patient care

CPR

First aid

Electronic health records

Communication skills

Trauma-Informed Care

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

6 months clinical experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

EHR system

Job description

The PsychiatricClinic Assistant (PCA) works under the leadership of the Clinic SupportSupervisor and within federal, state, and local guidelines. The PCA performsentry-level to routine habilitative and rehabilitative patient care serviceswork. Work involves providing health and personal care services to patients;observing, reporting, and documenting patient conditions and behaviors; andintervening in medical and/or psychiatric emergencies. The PCA workscollaboratively with Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Front Desk, andother center staff to coordinate services provided to clients in the MHPsychiatric clinic. Works under closesupervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independentjudgment.

Education,Training, and Experience

• High schooldiploma or equivalent required.
• Six (6)months prior experience in a clinical setting and Mental Health experiencepreferred.

Registration,Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

• Must haveand maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifyingoffenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Healthand Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possessand maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.

oIndividualswith an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's licensein the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.

• Successful completion of allposition-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge,Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeof patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmentalprograms.
• Skillin the use of computers and applicable computer software, including MicrosoftOffice and electronic health records.
• Ability toprovide patient care, administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR), and to perform PMAB.
• Ability tocommunicate effectively and professionally, and treat all individuals servedand staff with respect.
• Ability to workat the Denton Outpatient Clinic, Flower Mound Outpatient Clinic, CrisisOutpatient Clinic, or Morse Outpatient Clinic..
• Ability todisplay regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
• Understanding andpractice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

The following list outlines keyresponsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does notencompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

1.Ensures thatclients are seen in the psychiatric clinic for scheduled and standbyappointments in a timely manner by working closely with the Physicians, NursePractitioners, Nurses, Case Managers, and Front Desk Staff.

o Answers phone or instant message notifications fromfront desk staff communicating client's arrival.

o Maintains provider's schedule highlighting clients whohave arrived, didn't show, who canceled, or are late.

o Communicates with provider regarding client status,such as when they are checked in, if they are with a case manager, etc.

o Communicates with provider and nursing staff aboutavailability to add client to the schedule.

o Follows up on requests from provider to locate clientinformation, such as hospital discharge paperwork or medication lists.

o Contacts case managers, nurses, or other staff forassistance or information as directed by the provider.

o Follow clinic procedures for contacting clients whomissed their provider appointments.

2.Prepares providerschedules and clients' documents for the physicians or nurse practitioners on adaily basis. Ensures the documentationis completed accurately according to DCMHMR's policies and procedures.

o Prepares the provider's schedule by notating clients'preferred names and pronouns, dates of birth, any Prescription AssistanceProgram (PAP) meds that may be at the clinic, center paperwork that may beexpiring soon or expired (such as TRR and CCA), any clinic paperwork that needsto be updated (such as medication consents, standing lab orders, etc) and anyother relevant information.

o Ensures client documents are available for provider,such as previous provider note, crisis screenings, hospital dischargepaperwork, CRU paperwork, intake assessment, and lab results.

3.Educates clientson clinic guidelines, including but not limited to contacting the nurse line,lab work, ordering refills, and the crisis line.

o Educates clients using clinic guidelines handout onhow to contact nurse, schedule appointments, CPL lab facilities with fastingrules, ordering refills and crisis line.

4.Checks eachclient in and out of the Psychiatric Clinic following clinic procedures.

o Checks vital signs as delegated by a doctor or nurse,per protocol and documents promptly in clients' records.

o Promptly reports any vital signs to the Nurse inCharge (NIC) or designee that are out of normal range.

o Completes PHQ-9 or other questionnaires and enters inclients' records promptly.

o Ensures client paperwork is filed out completely bythe client, such as Med Profile Updates, and assists with completion if needed.

o Communicates with provider regarding client status,such as if check in is delayed due to client needing assistance with paperwork.

o Coordinates with remote providers and sets clients upin telepsych rooms for their appointments.

o Upon completion of telepsych appointments, escortsclients from telepsych room to lobby when notified by provider.

o Obtains client signatures on medication consents,release of information forms (consents), and other forms as needed as directedby the provider.

o Enters lab orders into the lab web portal as directedby the provider and prints to the front desk printer to be given to client

5.Cleans checkin/telepsych rooms and shuts down telepsych computers at the end of the day asassigned.

6.Processes labsand other documents from assigned providers' folders in a timely manner.

o Mails abnormal lab letters and lab results to clientsas directed, and documents in clients' records.

o Mails missed appointment letters to clients who missprovider appointments within two business days.

o Sends completed/signed documents to medical records tobe filed on a daily basis and removes from the providers folders according toclinic procedures.

o Coordinates with provider to remove or organize otherfiles as needed.

7.Processes priorauthorization requests for prescription coverage as assigned in a timelymanner.

o Initiates prior authorization request for medicationphone, fax, or online within one business day when assigned.

o Reports coverage determination results to pharmacy andclient in timely manner.

o Documents prior authorization requests and responsesin clients' records.

o Processes appeals requests within two business days.

o Contacts supervisors and/or providers for assistanceand clarification when needed.

8.Completes auditsand reports as assigned, which may include but not limited to:

o No show letter audit

9.Performadditional duties as deemed necessary by supervisor within designatedtimeframes. These duties may include:

o Answers Eval Phone as assigned and accuratelyschedules client evaluation appointments following clinic procedures.

o Assists providers in filling out forms or draftingletters for clients and ensures appropriate consents are on file.

o Documents calls from the nurse line and returns callor refers to the appropriate staff in a timely manner.

o Observes self-medication as assigned (must completetraining and be signed off by Director of Nursing or designee).

10.Providesemergency intervention when necessary, according to Department of HumanServices (DHS) and Center Policies and Procedures.

o Provides verbal Prevention Management of AggressiveBehavior (PMAB) intervention correctly when necessary.

o Provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in anemergency until other medical aid arrives.

o Provides emergency and non-emergency first aid untilprofessional aid arrives or as directed by a licensed medical professional.

o Provides emergency and non-emergency first aideffectively until first responders arrive.

o Provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR in anemergency until other medical aid arrives.

o Provides verbal prevention management of aggressivebehavior when necessary and does so effectively.

11.Participates inthe Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptlyconnecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile CrisisOutreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/orother applicable resources. Ensures seamless coordination to facilitate timelyintervention.

o Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to providesupport and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff oremergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safetyprotocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

o Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediatesupervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborates with theteam to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSCguidelines and Center policies are followed.

12.Completes allcenter required trainings in a timely manner.