A Mental Health Assistant provides basic care and assistance with daily activities to patients with mental illnesses or cognitive disabilities. Helps patients dress and eat, monitors patients' well-being, and restrains patients if they become physically violent. Works in hospitals or mental health care facilities.
Medical Assistant (MA), Behavioral Health, Full Time, Days Mary Washington Healthcare United States, Virginia, Fredericksburg Aug 26, 2026 Start the day excited to make a difference...end the day knowing you did. Come join our team.
Job Summary:
The Medical Assistant controls patient flow for providers, obtains and documents patient vitals, and performs other patient care and clerical duties. The incumbent in this position will support the mission, vision, values and strategic initiatives of Mary Washington Healthcare and must demonstrate a commitment to quality service to patients, physicians, the public and co-workers.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
Greets and escorts patients to exam room in a timely and courteous manner.
Reviews patient chart to ensure all reports and results required by provider are available prior to exam/treatment. Obtains reports and results as required.
Obtains and documents patient chief complaint.
Obtains and documents patient vitals (i.e., height, weight, BP).
Ensures exam/procedure room is appropriately supplied and set up to accommodate encounter based upon reason for patient visit.
Reviews patient-supplied history forms for completeness. Queries to obtain missing information within parameters established by supervising provider.
Assists providers with examinations, diagnostic procedures, and treatments.
Draws blood and/or assists in obtaining other specimens. Prepares and routes specimen(s) to laboratories; utilizing in-house services whenever appropriate; following verification of patients' insurance.
Documents all activities/interventions, patient/family responses, medication prescribed, etc., in the medical record.
Communicates with patients regarding provider advice/instructions within scope of training.
Adheres to infection control/safety guidelines, and confidentiality policies.
Phones in prescriptions to pharmacies based upon provider's written orders.
Provides results and other information to patients as specifically directed by provider.
Assists patient with the scheduling of future appointments, surgeries, and/or diagnostic testing, as necessary.
The Medical Assistant is not authorized to interpret reports or results or independently dispense medical advice to patients.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Must be certified Medical Assistant. In lieu of certification at hire, must have successfully completed a medical assistant training program or have two years of experience as a Medical Assistant (eq. Army Medic, Navy Corpsman) at hire.
For those that have completed a medical assistant training program or have two years of experience, must obtain Medical Assistant certification within 18 months of hire.
Incumbents hired before March 2021 may be considered grandfathered in terms of education. Should an incumbent obtain the Medical Assistant certification, it would be considered a requirement of their role moving forward.
AHA BLS Provider CPR required at hire.
Proficiency in basic clinical skills as required by specialty (i.e. phlebotomy, blood pressure, EKG, injections) required.
Knowledge of policies and procedures related to infection control, environmental safety, and patient confidentiality required.
Minimum of 2 years' prior experience providing clinical support in a medical office setting preferred.
Electronic Medical Records experience preferred. MWHC will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status (EOE). We are also committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices and comply with all applicable pay transparency and pay equity laws.
Required Physical Requirements:
Constant (67-100% of workday) walking, standing, use of arms and hands; frequent (34-66% of workday) bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting; ability to lift 35 lbs.; ability to push and pull 20 lbs.; auditory and visual skills to include color determination; ability to work in confined spaces; ability to reach above/overhead.
Mental Requirements:
Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to multi-task. Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team. Capacity to cope with difficult situations. Ability to tolerate irregular hours including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards:
Potential risk of exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals. Potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens; must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment. •Clinical positions in Mary Washington Home Health and/or Hospice must also meet driving requirements. "It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or Associates."
