Behavioral Health Assistant

Job Description:

SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Assistant is responsible for supporting the delivery of mental health services by working closely with behavioral health clinicians, clients, and the care team. This role provides administrative, clinical, and logistical support to ensure quality, culturally appropriate, and person-centered care.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists behavioral health providers with patient coordination, including scheduling new, same-day, and follow-up appointments, managing provider calendars, and reducing barriers to care through transportation coordination and reminder communications.
• Supports intake triage and screening processes by gathering patient vitals, collecting demographic and psychosocial information, and assisting with behavioral health forms, screenings, and questionnaires.
• Records and maintains accurate patient information, including vitals, screening results, and documentation in compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Helps clients navigate internal and external services by providing education, advocacy, and referrals in collaboration with the Care Concierge and other team members.
• Coordinates care with primary care providers, specialists, and community resources to support integrated and holistic patient care.
• Provides support to behavioral health providers by assisting with psychotropic medication refill requests, handling prior authorizations, and coordinating drug screens, blood draws, and injections.
• Conducts phone follow-ups with patients as directed, and follows up on missed appointments or cancellations, including sending reminder letters.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and huddles to review complex cases, improve access to services, and enhance care delivery.
• Monitors waiting areas and engages patients in a calm, culturally sensitive, and respectful manner to support a safe and welcoming environment.
• Responds appropriately to patients in crisis by alerting clinical staff and following established emergency protocols.
• Assists in organizing and supporting wellness groups, psychoeducation sessions, and community outreach events.
• Coordinates logistical and administrative tasks such as processing internal and external referrals, managing translation services, and assisting with medical records, release forms, and patient-related documentation.
• Supports billing, credentialing, and departmental operations by liaising with finance and HR and managing supplies and equipment.
• Performs general office duties, including faxing, copying, and organizing documents.
• Other duties as directed by management.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY & RESTRICTIONS

• No supervisory responsibilities or decision-making authority.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS:

• May involve use of assistive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, ventilators, pulse oximetry units, and oxygen tanks.
• Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Varied activities including standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting.
• Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patient’s manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• May be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT

• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• May be required to work in locations other than Three Rivers Health Center, such as schools or at an outreach work location.
• May be required to attend meetings, conferences and Tribal events.
• Must be willing and able to work long hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing and able to travel both locally and within the CTCLUSI service delivery area.

Experience and Skills:

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) or Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) with behavioral health experience preferred or willing to obtain.
• Obtain a CPR/BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
• At least one (1) year experience working in behavioral health, medical, or social services setting.
• Experience and proficiency in the use of Microsoft products (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc).
• Basic knowledge of mental health conditions and the behavioral health care system.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA standards.
• Comfortable work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficient with electronic health record systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbally, in writing or by other acceptable means.
• This is a safety sensitive position and will be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal history background check, which will include fingerprinting.
• Must have employment eligibility in the U.S.
• Indian preference will be observed in the hiring process.