Under direction of the Clinic Support Supervisor and within federal, state and local guidelines performs entry-level to routine habilitative and rehabilitative patient care services work. Work involves providing health and personal care services to individuals served; observing, reporting, and documenting conditions and behaviors of individuals served; and intervening in medical and/or psychiatric emergencies.

This position is responsible for assisting Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, and Front Desk Staff in the coordination of services provided in the Psychiatric clinic. Works under close supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

High school diploma or equivalent required. Six (6) months prior experience in a clinical setting and Mental Health experience preferred.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• All job specific training must be completed within 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain a valid Texas driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to the Centers insurance requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs.
• Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to conduct PMAB, and to communicate effectively.
• Skill in the use of computers and applicable computer software.

Essential Duties

• Ensures that individuals served are seen in the psychiatric clinic for scheduled and standby appointments in a timely manner by working closely with the Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Case Managers, and Front Desk Staff.
  • Answers phone or IM notifications from front desk staff communicating individual's arrival or needs.
• Maintains provider's schedule by notating which individuals have arrived, didn't show, canceled, or are late.
• Communicates with provider, nursing, and front desk staff about availability to add individuals to the schedule.
• Communicates with provider when client didn't arrive for scheduled appointment.

• Coordinates communication between their assigned physician/nurse practitioner and other clinic and center staff.
  • Communicates office logistics well with provider, and nursing staff for consults, next appointments, schedule, and chart forms/paperwork.
• Ensures referrals are sent and documented as per clinic procedures.
• Obtains signed consent from individuals when needed.
• Coordinates with assigned clinic staff and providers to have documents (such as SNAP applications, FMLA paperwork, and other items) completed by the provider as needed.
• Assists with scheduling provider appointments as needed.
• Communicates with supervisor and other PCAs when leaving for lunch or breaks.

• Prepares the schedules and individuals' documents for the physicians or nurse practitioners on a daily basis. Ensures the documentation is completed accurately according to DCMHMR's policies and procedures.
  • Prepares the provider's schedule by identifying documents and information that needs to be updated, including standing lab orders, medical profiles, and medication consents.
• Prepares necessary paperwork for scheduled appointments including crisis screenings, hospital discharge paperwork, CRU paperwork, social intake, and lab results.

• Ensures that individuals served are referred to Case Managers as deemed necessary by Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses or Mental Health Authority Staff. Educates individuals served on clinic guidelines, including but not limited to contacting the nurse line, lab work, ordering refills, and the crisis line.
  • Follows proper procedures of reporting referrals as set by clinic procedures.
• Educates individuals served using clinic guidelines handout on how to contact nurse, schedule appointments, CPL lab facilities with fasting rules, ordering refills and crisis help line.

• Checks each individual served in and out of the Psychiatric Clinic as per protocol. Checks vital signs as delegated by a doctor or nurse, per protocol. Documents accurate information including individual's vital signs and any questionnaire results in individual's record.
  • Checks in individuals in designated area, obtaining signatures on necessary paperwork, and taking vital signs.
• Reports any vital signs to the NIC that are out of normal range.
• Logs in to televideo meetings when providers are working remotely, and ensures provider and individual are able to hear and see each other.
• Provides medication billing information to individuals when needed.
• Enters and sends lab orders as ordered by the provider into online lab portal and prints a copy for individual as needed.

• Mails out correspondence to individuals served per clinic protocol.
  • Mails missed appointment letters to individuals who do not come in to or cancel an appointment with a provider and notifies the individuals' case managers in a timely manner.
• Mails abnormal lab letters to individuals as instructed by provider or nurse in a timely manner.
• Documents any correspondence sent out in a contact note and also sends a copy of the correspondence to medical records to include in the individual's record.

• Processes prior authorization requests for prescription coverage in a timely manner.
  • Initiates prior authorization request for medication phone, fax, or online within one business day when assigned.
• Reports coverage determination results to pharmacy and individual served in timely manner.
• Documents request results in individual's record.
• Processes appeals requests within two business days.

• Documents calls from the nurse line and sends to assigned staff at least hourly when assigned.
  • Checks nurse line messages at least once per hour during assigned hours.
• Documents each nurse line call accurately and sends to assigned staff in the electronic health record.
• Follows any directions given and documents any action taken in individual's record.

• Completes audits and reports as assigned, which may include but not limited to

• PCA chart audits
• Clozaril
• Other documentation audits

• Provides emergency intervention when necessary, according to Department of Human Services (DHS) and Center Policies and Procedures.
  • Provides verbal Prevention Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) intervention correctly when necessary.
• Provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency until other medical aid arrives.
• Provides emergency and non-emergency first aid until professional aid arrives or as directed by a licensed medical professional.
  • Provides emergency and non-emergency first aid effectively until first responders arrive.
• Provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR in an emergency until other medical aid arrives.
• Provides verbal prevention management of aggressive behavior when necessary and does so effectively.

• Perform additional duties as deemed necessary by supervisor within designated timeframes.
  • .Answers Eval Phone as assigned and accurately schedules client evaluation and reports to appropriate staff.
• Observing self-medication as assigned (must complete training and be signed off by Administrator of Nursing).

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