Psychiatric Clinic Assistant Team Lead

Dentonmhmr; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Denton County MHMR is seeking a dedicated PCA to support psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, clinic staff, and front desk teams in the psychiatric medication clinic. You will coordinate crisis and clinic services, train new PCAs, and ensure timely, accurate documentation and communication for patient care.

Under general supervision, you will assist with scheduling, patient intakes, vital signs, and coordination of care, while following trauma-informed care principles and HIPAA guidelines.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Six months' experience in a clinical setting preferred.
• Mental Health experience preferred.
• Background check per Texas HHSC and TAC requirements.
• Driver's license and auto insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Clinic Staff, and Front Desk Staff in coordinating crisis and clinic services.
• Coordinate scheduling and appointment coordination with front desk staff.
• Train additional PCAs; supervise and audit PCA staff on-the-job performance.
• Document calls, messages, and care plans accurately in patient records and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Patient care

CPR

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Under thedirection of the Clinic Support Supervisor and within federal, state and localguidelines performs moderatelycomplex (journey-level) habilitative and rehabilitative patient care serviceswork. Work involves providing health and personal care services to patients;observing, reporting, and documenting patient conditions and behaviors; and interveningin medical and/or psychiatric emergencies; and participating in treatmentprograms. May train others.

This position is responsible forassisting Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Clinic Staff, and Front Desk Staffin the coordination of crisis and clinic services provided in the PsychiatricMedication clinic. This position is also responsible for overseeing thetrainingof additional PCA's. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use ofinitiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Eithera High School Diploma or GED Required.
• Sixmonths' experience in a clinical setting Preferred.
• Mental Health experience preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, andOther 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 development programs; and of community and government service delivery systems.
• Abilityto provide patient care, to administer first aid or cardiopulmonaryresuscitation (CPR), to conduct PMAB, to multitask,to prepare and maintain records, to communicate effectively, and totrain others.
• Skillsin the use of computers, applicable computer software and office equipment.
• 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.Ensure that individuals are seen inthe psychiatric clinic for scheduled and standby appointments in a timelymanner by working closely with the Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses,Case Managers, and Front Desk Staff.

• Answers phones or IM notifications fromfront desk staff communicating client's appointment.
• Maintains provider's schedulehighlighting scheduled individuals who have arrived, didn't show, whocanceled, or are late.
• Communicates with provider and nursingstaff availability to add individuals to the schedule.

oCommunicate with provider and Nurse inCharge (NIC) when an individual did not arrive for scheduled appointment.

2.Coordinates communication betweenphysician/nurse practitioner and other clinic and center staff.

oCommunicates office logisticseffectively with provider, and nursing staff for consults, next appointments,schedule, and chart forms/paperwork.

oEnsures requests and information aboutcoordination of care are emailed and documented as per clinic procedures.

oResponds to requests from prescribersin a timely manner.

3.Trains additional PCA's by providingverbal and written instruction in PCA job duties, modeling appropriatebehavior, observing the new staff as they perform the duties of PCA, correctingand advising during on-the-job training, and auditing medical records foraccuracy.

oProvides training to new PCAs usingPCA training checklist.

oWorks with RN to ensure PCA aretrained by RN for vital signs.

oObserves new PCA as they performduties.

oProvides additional on the jobtraining to PCAs as needed.

oReports to Clinic Support Supervisortraining report and any corrective actions for PCA staff.

4.Ensures that clients are referred toCase Managers as deemed necessary by Psychiatrists, Nurses or Mental HealthAuthority Staff. Provides information and instruction to individuals and theirfamilies on clinic guidelines, including but not limited to contacting thenurse line, lab work, ordering refills, and the crisis line.

oContacts appropriate staff forcoordination of care and documents as set by clinic procedures.

oEducates individuals verbally andusing clinic guidelines handout on how to contact nurse, schedule appointments,CPL lab facilities, fasting guidelines, ordering refills, and crisis help line.

5.Legibly documents all calls from thenurse line and returns calls to individuals and sends to NIC. Returns calls and documents in individual'srecord as instructed.

oChecks nurse line in a timely manner,at least once every hour.

oDocuments nurse line call accuratelyin phone message book or via email to NIC.

oReports to NIC each call and followsinstructions given.

oLegibly and accurately documents allcalls in individual's record of action taken.

6.Ensures any PAP applications given tothem are completed by the individual and physician or nurse practitioner. Ensures Prescription Assistance Program (PAP)requirements are met when an individual receives PAP meds.

oInforms PAP staff of newly prescribedPAP medication, any changes in medication directions, and/or discontinuation ofmedication.

oConsults with PAP staff regardingavailable inventory.

oObtains signatures needed on PAPapplications from individual and providers.

oCoordinates with PAP staff to provideeducation to individuals about PAP application process as needed.

7.Must be able to work at DOPC, FMOC,COPC, or MOPC.

oMaintains acceptable driving record asrequired for DCMHMR insurance.

8.Completes audits and reports asassigned which may include but not limited to:

• CPT coding
• Med costs

i.Completes PCA Audits as assignedmonthly by deadline.

ii.Corrects or flags for correction chartand gives it to appropriate staff to complete.

iii.CPT coding worksheet accuratelycompleted by deadline as assigned.

iv.Clozaril audit completed by weeklydeadline as assigned.

v.Med costs audit completed by deadlineas assigned.

9.Prepares the schedules and relevantdocuments for scheduled individuals for the physician's or nurse practitioner' s a daily basis. Ensures the documentation is completed accurately according to DCMHMR's policies and procedures.

oPrepares the provider's schedule byidentifying needed: diagnosis updates.level of care updates, fee assessment updates. Also identifies insurance status andmedication funding sources as applicable.

oPrepares necessary documents forscheduled individuals including crisis screenings, hospital dischargepaperwork, CRU paperwork, social intake, and lab results.

10.Checks each individual in and out ofthe Psychiatric Clinic as per protocol. Checks vital signs as delegated by adoctor or nurse, per protocol. Legibly documents accurate informationidentifying how medication has been provided at that visit using the appropriatefunding source.

oTakes individuals vital signs andcalculates BMI correctly prior to appointment with the provider.

oImmediately reports any vital signs tothe NIC that are out of normal range.

oCoordinates with PAP and Med Roomstaff to ensure individual know where they need to go to pick up medications.

oAccurately completes lab requisitionforms and provides verbal and written directions to individuals.

11.Processes prior authorization requestsfrom insurance companies for prescription coverage in a timely manner.

oInitiates prior authorization requestsfor medication by phone, fax, or online within one business day, when assigned.

oCoverage determination resultsreported to pharmacy and individual in timely manner.

oLegibly documents requested results inindividual's record.

oProcesses appeals requests within twobusiness days.

12.Perform additional duties as deemednecessary by supervisor within designated timeframes.

• Escorts individuals to and from frontlobby as needed.

oAnswers Eval phone as assigned andaccurately schedules evaluation appointments and informs appropriate staff.

13.Provides emergency intervention whennecessary, according to Department of Human Services (DHS) and Center Policiesand Procedures. Provides verbal Prevention Management of Aggressive Behavior(PMAB) intervention correctly when necessary.

oProvides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) in an emergency until other medical aid arrives. Provides emergency andnon-emergency first aid until professional aid arrives or as directed by alicensed medical professional.

• Maintain necessary training asrequired by Denton County MHMR.
• Updates any course training necessaryannually.
• Provides emergency and non-emergencyfirst aid effectively until first responders arrive.
• Provides Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationCPR in an emergency until other medical aid arrives.
• Provides verbal prevention managementof aggressive behavior when necessary and does so effectively.

14.Participates in the Center's ZeroSuicide Initiative.

o Supportsindividuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriateCenter programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), PsychiatricTriage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensureseamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o Remainswith individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calmenvironment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive totake over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to preventescalation of the crisis situation.

o Participatesin debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated stafffollowing a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident,identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policiesare followed.