Medical Assistant III (Float) - Psychiatry

Posted: 26-Mar-26

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Type: Full-time

Categories: Healthcare, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: JR93339

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Position performs duties of a Medical Assistant as outlined below. This position functions as a Medical Assistant III - Float in the Department of Psychiatry for all clinics and is lead MA setting policies/guidelines along with coordination of MA work schedules. They prepare and maintain exam rooms, prepare charts and appropriately respond to messages through the EMR system, obtain reports and records; assists with patient flow and ensures the overall smooth running of the clinical office; furthering our mission of providing health care in a way that best serves our diverse patient population.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Patient Care Duties

• Interacts directly with patients in clinic setting and completes clinical tasks, which may include obtaining vital signs and verification of medications.
• Prepares for office hours by doing tasks, such as reviewing charts, scheduling tests and preparing exam rooms.
• Assists with office procedures.
• Assists with policies/guidelines along with coordination of MA/front desk work schedules.
• May assist with renewal and authorization of non-narcotic medications per standing orders and department guidelines.
• May administer medications under the order of physicians or nurse practitioner (this includes vaccines and IM and subcutaneous injections).
• Directs patient flow, assists with special procedures/treatments and completes requisitions.
• Routes phone messages, patient questions and telephone communications to appropriate personnel.
• Assists with care coordination by doing tasks outlined under the department guidelines, such as calling patients with test results, scheduling appointments, assisting with return calls.
• Completes necessary paperwork and documentation in a timely manner.
• Answers basic questions from patient/family regarding treatments, diagnosis and procedures.
• If order entry in the electronic medical record is part of the job function, completes requisitions/orders per Washington University guidelines.
• Monitors supply inventory, ensuring adequate supplies, equipment or garments are available and that they comply with regulations.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms and sterilizes instruments.
• Maintains required HIPAA compliance, skills/competencies and participates in in-services, staff programs, continuing education and cross-training programs according to established standards and Washington University policies.
• Complies with OSHA, state and federal regulatory sources/standards.
• Participates in quality improvement activities to ensure appropriate clinical outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Front desk coverage as needed – including patient check-in and check-out, processing payments, scheduling follow-up appointments and answering phone, etc.

Communication and Documentation

• May schedule and assign work to other Medical Assistants to ensure appropriate staffing, assists in orienting, writing policies and training new Medical Assistants.
• Directs patient flow, assists with special procedures/treatments and completes requisitions.
• Routes phone messages, patient questions and telephone communications to appropriate personnel.
• Assists with care coordination by doing tasks outlined under the department guidelines, such as calling patients with test results, scheduling appointments, assisting with return calls.
• Completes necessary paperwork and documentation in a timely manner.
• Answers basic questions from patient/family regarding treatments, diagnosis and procedures.
• If order entry in the electronic medical record is part of the job function, completes requisitions/orders per Washington University guidelines.
• Assists with medication prior authorization approvals as well as pre-certifications.
• Pulls reports and scans to EMR as needed.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Float between all Psychiatry clinics.
• Exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
• Requires protective devices.
• Patient care setting.
• Direct patient care setting.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping.
• Occasional lifting (25 lbs. or less).

Equipment and Supplies

• Office equipment.
• Clinical/diagnostic equipment.
• Monitors supply inventory, ensuring adequate supplies, equipment or garments are available and that they comply with regulations.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms and sterilizes instruments.

Required Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or combination of education and/or experience.

Certifications/Professional Licenses: Basic Life Support - American Heart Association, Basic Life Support - American Red Cross, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) - National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Licensed Practical Nurse - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Licensed Practical Nurse - Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) - American Medical Technologists (AMT), Registered Nurse - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Registered Nurse - Missouri Division of Professional Registration

Work Experience: Relevant Experience (3 Years)

More About This Job - Required Qualifications:

• Registered or Certified Medical Assistant with three years of related work experience (examples of related fields include military medic, emergency medical technicians, Nurse’s Aide, physical therapy and nurse technicians, and certified athletic trainers). Medical Assistant credentials must be obtained from in-person proctored exams from the following certifying bodies: NHA, AAMA or AMT. In-person proctored credentials from other certifying bodies may be accepted upon approval from Human Resources. Substitutions include:
  • Graduate of an accredited nursing program (such as RN/LPN), or comparable allied health training program with a minimum of one year of relevant experience.
  • Ability to show proof of a Medical Assistant certification/registration with successful completion of certification exam (online proctored exams are not sufficient to meet the credential requirement) within six months of hire date (or within a shorter time frame if noted by hiring manager).
• Basic Life Support certification (Online Basic Life Support certifications, those without a skills assessment component, are not sufficient to meet the Basic Life Support requirements).

Preferred Qualifications

Work Experience: Medical Assistant (3 Years), Supervisory (1 Year)

Skills: Anatomy, Communication, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Systems, HIPAA Compliance, Interactive Communication, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, Medical Terminology, Ordering Supplies, Patient Communications, Physician Communications, Physiology, Scheduling, Telephone Communications

Grade

C07-H

Salary Range

$19.21 - $28.85 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/