Medical Receptionist Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Medical Assistant – Mental Health / Behavioral Health

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Fredericksburg VA

Reports To: Clinic Manager / Lead Provider

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Position Summary

The Medical Assistant (MA) will support psychiatric and behavioral health providers in delivering high-quality patient care. This role combines traditional clinical and administrative MA duties with responsibilities specific to the mental health setting, including administering standardized screening tools, coordinating care, and supporting patients through their treatment journey.

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Key Responsibilities

Clinical Duties:

- Room patients and obtain vital signs, medical history, and medication lists

- Administer validated mental health screening instruments (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, AUDIT, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) per clinic protocol

- Assist providers with psychiatric evaluations and follow-up visits

- Prepare and manage prior authorizations for psychiatric medications

- Coordinate referrals to therapists, social workers, substance use treatment programs, and community resources

- Monitor and follow up on lab orders related to psychotropic medication management (e.g., metabolic panels, lithium levels, CBC)

- Manage prescription refill requests under provider supervision

- Support crisis intervention protocols, including recognizing and escalating patients in acute distress

Administrative Duties:

- Schedule patient appointments, including follow-ups and specialist referrals

- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR)

- Manage incoming calls, patient messages, and triage inquiries

- Verify insurance eligibility and assist with benefits coordination

- Maintain patient registry and track care gaps for panel management

- Ensure compliance with HIPAA and all applicable confidentiality regulations

Patient Engagement:

- Serve as a point of contact for patients navigating the behavioral health system

- Provide basic psychoeducation materials as directed by the provider

- Use supportive communication techniques to build rapport and therapeutic alliance with patients

- Assist with care coordination for patients with co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions

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Qualifications

Required:

- High school diploma or equivalent

- Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program

- Current certification: CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or NCMA (NCCT)

- Minimum 1 year of clinical experience (mental health or primary care setting preferred)

- Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) systems

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach

Preferred:

- Experience in a psychiatric, behavioral health, or substance use treatment setting

- Familiarity with mental health screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS)

- Training or experience in motivational interviewing techniques

- Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages relevant to the patient population)

- Experience with care coordination or patient navigation

- Knowledge of community mental health resources

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Competencies

- Sensitivity and professionalism when working with patients experiencing mental health crises, trauma, or substance use disorders

- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries while demonstrating empathy

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

- Comfort working in a fast-paced, team-based environment

- Commitment to cultural humility and health equity

- Adaptability and willingness to take on expanded roles with additional training

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What We Offer

- Competitive salary: (commensurate with experience)

- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, retirement)

- Paid time off and holidays

- Continuing education support and professional development opportunities

- Training in mental health-specific skills (e.g., motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care)

- Supportive, mission-driven work environment