The Medical Assistant will be responsible for working with the Physical Health Assistant (PHA) to meet the basic medical and health-related needs of Strategic Partnerships. The Medical Assistant will help maintain consumer medical records and agency documentation, schedule client appointments, field calls from clients, staff and outside agencies, and assist the PHA to remain in compliance with agency policy and waiver regulations. The Medical Assistant will participate in the agency's on-call rotation, assist with incident reports, assist with staff and house meetings on health-related topics, and conduct staff training as assigned.

At RiverValley Behavioral Health Services, we aspire to meet the needs of every client we encounter. We are passionate about extending a hand to those in need of behavioral health services. Explore below the potential career opportunity with Behavioral Health Services, Strategic Partnerships.

Essential Functions:

Medical Records

• Assists with maintenance of consumer medical records, which includes keeping records up to date, aiding in quality enhancement procedures, gleaning of the charts, and storing the gleaned charts in year order.
• Performs chart audits as directed by Senior Director and assists with resolving discrepancies.
• Assists VP, Senior Director, Residential Coordinator, and ARD in preparing for surveys and billing reviews (Medicaid, DDID, CARF, etc.).
• Facilitates communication with case management and other provider agencies to address discrepancies with chart documentation.
• Ensures vision, dental, and physical exams are uploaded to MWMA.

Direct Client Care

• Maintains functional knowledge of clients' physical, mental, and behavioral health and wellbeing to enhance advocacy efforts during appointments and other interactions with clients and clinicians or equipment providers.
• Accompanies individuals to medical or behavioral health appointments as necessary.
• Interacts appropriately with individuals and treats them with dignity and respect.
• Fields calls from DSPs during medical appointments when additional information is necessary.
• Serves as backup staff as necessary for partial and full shifts.
• Treats all clients with dignity and respect.

Administrative Duties

• Maintains a database of current prescriptions, physician's orders, and prescription renewals and coordinates with pharmacies and physicians to avoid lapses.
• Orders medications and refills according to regulations and agency policy.
• Works as a team member with co-workers and supervisors.
• Adheres to policy and procedures of the agency.
• Assists PHA with the distribution of new or updated prescriptions and physician orders to ADTs, ARD, Pharmacy, Case Managers, and client charts.
• Assists PHA in maintaining client appointment calendar and scheduling appointments as necessary.
• Assists PHA with preparing and making appointment notifications for staff.
• Assists PHA with sending documentation ahead of doctor's appointments to the doctor's office and ensures receipt of documentation following each appointment.
• Schedules GRITS transportation for appointments when necessary.
• Maintains list of HRST due dates, coordinates with PHA to prioritize HRSTs by due date and need, and assists with completion of HRST updates.
• Assists Senior Director, Residential Coordinator, and Assistant Residential Director with conducting staff/house meetings on topics related to client health.
• Completes SNAP benefit applications on behalf of, or with individuals receiving services, and coordinates receipt of SNAP benefits card.
• Maintains monthly SNAP benefits spending files, reviews monthly transaction logs with receipts, and follows up with staff on any discrepancies.
• Participates in community events and activities as a representative of Strategic Partnerships.
• Serves as primary contact and liaison for pharmacy personnel to coordinate medication deliveries, field staff reports of discrepancies, attain prescriptions, and place re-fill orders.
• Serves as primary medical office personnel for Strategic in the absence of Physical Health Assistant.

Incident Prevention

• Assists with the training and re-training of staff on medical and health-related topics to meet standards outlined in regulations and agency policy.
• Participates in C&C re-education sessions with staff as needed.
• Reviews accuracy and completion of Medication Administration Records (MAR) each month, assisting Senior Director and Residential Coordinator with monthly dosage and quality improvement reports.
• Assists with the creation and maintenance of medication teaching sheets and documentation for staff according to doctors' orders in regard to how and when OTC/PRN medications should be administered.
• Follows up with homes to ensure delivery of all paper prescriptions and medications.

On-Call and Incident Management

• Participates in a residential on-call rotation with Residential Coordinator and Assistant Residential Director to ensure DSPs and FHPs have 24-hour access to management as necessary.
• Assists with notifications, investigation, resolution, and completion of incident reports of a critical and non-critical nature.
• Enters incident reports into the Medicaid Waiver Management Application (MWMA).
• Assists with investigations of medication variances.
• Assists with resolving discrepancies in medication documentation.
• Participates in Coaching & Counseling re-education sessions with staff when needed in coordination with ARD, Residential Coordinator, or Senior Director.
• Contacts the prescribing physician as needed when a medication is missed to determine if any "harm" was done or if there are any further instructions.
• Assists Residential Coordinator, ARD, and Senior Director with critical medication error reports when requested.

Other duties as assigned.

We offer:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Paid training
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental, vision, long-term disability, and Teladoc
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Eligible for overtime
• Retirement planning
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related driving
• Potential for tuition reimbursement program
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employment Referral Program

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Graduate of Medical Assistant program OR SRNA/Certified Nursing Assistant with Current Certification preferred.
• Proficiency in measuring and recording vital signs/weights required.
• Active CPR/BLS preferred, but training also provided.
• Minimum of one year experience working with adults diagnosed with intellectual/physical disabilities preferred.
• Will complete DDID-approved, waiver-specific training to achieve competency on topics including but not limited to: abuse, neglect, exploitation and incident reporting, medication administration, professional boundaries, trauma-informed care, and person-centered thinking.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must have the ability to:
• Communicate effectively with a participant and the participant's family;
• Read, understand, and implement written and oral instructions;
• Perform required documentation;
• Participate as a member of the participant's person-centered team if requested by the participant; and
• Demonstrate competence and knowledge of topics required to safely support the participant as described in the person-centered service plan.
• Must also have the ability to:
  • Work 24- and 48-hour shifts at residential service site as needed,
  • Maintain good organizational skills and attention to detail,
  • Maintain client confidentiality,
  • Consistently exhibit mental and emotional stability to understand and perform the essential functions of the job, and
  • Learn and use basic computer programs and electronic health records.
• Must be legally licensed to operate a vehicle and obey all applicable state laws while operating a vehicle.