Medical Assistant for Mental Health Amherst College Massachusetts
Job Description
Medical Assistant for Mental Health
Amherst College, Massachusetts
Amherst College
Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socioeconomic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.
Job Description:
Amherst College invites applications for the Medical Assistant for Mental Health position. The Medical Assistant for Mental Health is a full-time, year-round position, job group and level PT-1. Given Amherst’s distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.
The Medical Assistant is responsible for assisting mental health providers with patient care including administrative and clinical tasks. Fulfills patient care responsibilities as assigned, which includes appointment scheduling, triage, verification of patient demographics, and facilitation of patient flow. Interfaces with a diverse set of students, Counseling Center psychotherapists and psychiatric providers, members of the campus community, and off-campus providers to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the office. With a high level of discretion and confidentiality, assesses and assists students who may be in crisis and are in immediate need of services of the Counseling Center.
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
Administrative Support
• Cover the front desk including reception, answering phones, and greeting walk-in traffic
• Effectively communicate, support, and interact with a diverse set of students and staff
• Schedule appointments and maintain electronic calendars of all the mental health providers, including appointment reminders and follow up with patients
• Create and maintain electronic patient files and center documentation, as well as copy, fax, and scan documents
• Assist with releases of information, forwarding/sharing records, pre-authorizations, and completing various forms/requisitions
• Maintain and purchase medical and office supplies
• Maintain the Counseling Center’s web page with announcements, workshop information, and office closings
Clinical
• Fulfill patient care responsibilities as assigned, including checking schedules and organizing patient flow, collecting patient history, and performing intake assessments per Counseling Center guidelines
• Conduct brief assessments and triage patients to determine the level of care needed (e.g. routine, urgent, or emergency care)
• Provide de-escalation, support, and immediate care for students in crisis
• Assist with coordinating hospitalizations
• Provides consultation to a diverse set of students, faculty, and staff about mental health services offered and how to access care
• Prepare medication override and/or prior authorization forms for psychiatrists
• Assist psychiatric providers with medication refill requests
• Assist clinical case manager to provide students with referrals to off-campus providers or agencies that provide higher levels of care than can be received at the Counseling Center
Mental Health Promotion:
• Coordinate event logistics including securing meeting rooms, communicating with guest speakers, arranging food for the events, etc.
• Provide occasional general workshops on the types of services offered in the Counseling Center, including the referral process and general care students can expect to receive
Qualifications
Required:
• Associates Degree from an accredited Medical Assistant Program or Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field;
OR 3 or more years of equivalent medical office or mental health clinic experience
• 2 years of related experience
• Working knowledge of basic mental health or medical clinic practices, operations, techniques, equipment, and terminology
• Basic knowledge of insurance plans
• Computer experience with MS Office and G Suite, and able to learn and utilize new database and technology tools and concepts, including electronic health record software
• Strong organizational, time management, interpersonal and written, and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and function well in a fast-paced environment
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Commitment to working with a diverse community
• Additional hours beyond the normal work schedule and holiday coverage may be required
Preferred:
• Crisis intervention experience related to Mental Health
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., InDesign; Photoshop)
Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information .
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs . Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Click here to apply now: https://www.click2apply.net/NalVKDcngOwmHgXVTAP7W
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