Medical Assistant - Behavioral Health

Saint Luke's Health System•Kansas City, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This Medical Assistant role functions differently than a traditional hands-on clinic MA position. Approximately 85% of patient visits are conducted virtually, and the majority of daily work is focused on care coordination, patient communication, and medication workflow rather than in-person rooming or procedures. This role supports psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in a high-volume outpatient behavioral health clinic. Medical Assistants in Behavioral Health spend most of their time managing a steady, high volume of MyChart portal messages, phone calls, and faxes, processing medication refill and patient advice requests through Epic, and preparing and submitting prior authorizations for psychiatric medications and procedures (including ECT). They also handle FMLA, disability, school, and work documentation, draft and send patient letters and forms, and coordinate between patients, providers, pharmacies, and insurance companies. While the position is based in the clinic, direct patient contact is limited, and hands-on clinical procedures are minimal. When patients are seen in person, MAs typically obtain vitals only; the clinic does not perform injections, lab draws, or procedural assisting. This position is best suited for MAs who enjoy care coordination, written and phone-based communication, detailed documentation, and working with behavioral health patients. Candidates seeking a procedure-heavy MA role may not find this to be a good fit. Saint Luke’s offers competitive salaries and benefits packages to all eligible employees. For those with less than 1 year of experience or not yet through an MA Program, Saint Luke’s provides a 10-week paid Medical Assistant Training Cohort Program. This program offers a comprehensive review of body systems including pharmacology, medical terminology, lab values, and BLS certification, along with an introduction to Saint Luke’s culture with an emphasis on customer service and patient safety. The next training session starts on August 10.

Requirements

Less than 1 year of experience
Basic Life Support - American Heart Association or Red Cross

Nice To Haves

Experience with or an interest in mental health

Responsibilities

Managing a steady, high volume of MyChart portal messages, phone calls, and faxes
Processing medication refill and patient advice requests through Epic
Preparing and submitting prior authorizations for psychiatric medications and procedures (including ECT)
Handling FMLA, disability, school, and work documentation
Drafting and sending patient letters and forms
Coordinating between patients, providers, pharmacies, and insurance companies
Supporting providers by keeping clinical workflows organized and moving
Obtaining vitals when patients are seen in person