Program Assistant - Behavioral Health

Position: Program Assistant

Compensation: $27.15 - $31.25 per hour

Location: Tukwila, Washington

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, or Monday – Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, depending on business needs.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Hiring Preference

If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or a BIA 4432 and/or DD214.

Why Join Our Team?

• Competitive pay with opportunities for professional growth and ongoing development.
• Work alongside a dedicated interdisciplinary team committed to whole-person care.
• Serve a mission-driven organization where culture, community, and compassion guide everything we do.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with multiple no-cost options for employees.
• Retirement benefits
• Employees accrue (13) paid vacation days, (13) paid sick leave days, and (15) paid holidays in their first year.

Position Summary

Ensures the efficient and effective operations of the clinic’s front office and lobby. Creates a welcoming environment and directs callers, clients, and visitors to appropriate personnel. Maintains professionalism in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Health and Human Services department.

Key Responsibilities

• Checks in arriving clients for intake/assessment in an efficient manner and notifies staff of patient arrival; verifies insurance information; collects fees and payments; directs clients to appropriate locations for services requested.
• Answers incoming telephone calls, determines purpose of the call, and forwards calls to appropriate personnel or department. Processes messages and voicemails per program procedure.
• Monitors access to the building by visitors and delivery persons, checking in arriving visitors and issuing a visitor identification badge, directing visitors to the appropriate locations for meetings or business contacts.
• Conducts urinalysis (UA) collections, including directly observed collections for male clients in accordance with same-gender observation requirements and program protocols; manages urinalysis requisitions and chain-of-custody documentation.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education & Certifications

• Must be able to perform directly observed UA collections for male clients, which requires the staff member to be of the same gender as the client.
• Knowledge of patient registration and front office responsibilities in a healthcare setting.
• Three years of related experience.
• High School Diploma/GED.
• Obtain and maintain BLS/CPR and AED certifications.
• A valid driver’s license.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software programs in a Windows environment, including electronic health care systems.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures related to HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment.
• Knowledge of office functions, procedures, and policies.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employees may be exposed to bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens, and infectious diseases. Situations may occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

Additional Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Personal and professional reference checks and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks, including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.
• Please note: The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is NOT covered by Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distances.

Apply Today

If you are passionate about helping individuals access treatment and delivering compassionate healthcare services in the community, this role may be right for you! We appreciate being able to review your resume via third-party job sites, but a full application will need to be completed at cowlitz.org for your candidacy to be considered.