Medical Assistant

Turnwell Mental Health Network; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Turnwell Mental Health Network is seeking a Medical Assistant to support our outpatient psychiatric care, including TMS, Spravato, and IV Ketamine. You will take vitals, assist with treatments, and ensure a compassionate patient experience.

Responsibilities include front-desk cross-training, scheduling, payments, and strong documentation in the EHR. Prior MA program completion and CPR/BLS are preferred, with possible on-the-job training for credentialing.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.
• CMA/RMA certification preferred or obtainable within an agreed timeframe.
• CPR/BLS certification required or obtainable before start date.
• Experience with EHR systems; psychiatric EHR is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Take and record vitals (BP, pulse, weight, temp) before provider visits or treatments.
• Escort patients to treatment rooms and ensure comfort and safety.
• Conduct TMS and Spravato treatments per orders with monitoring.
• Support IV Ketamine sessions as directed by the provider.
• Process medication refill requests and route for provider authorization.
• Serve as liaison between patients and providers; relay questions and instructions.
• Respond to patient calls; triage and escalate urgent matters.
• Maintain accurate EHR documentation and HIPAA compliance.
• Administer EKGs, blood draws and injections as requested.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication

Multitask in clinical environment

Attention to detail

Professionalism and discretion

Patient-centered care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program

CPR/BLS certification

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Job description

Position SummaryThis position supports our Mission – To expand access to compassionate, high-quality mental health care.The Medical Assistant (MA) serves as a vital extension of the clinical provider team at Turnwell Mental Health Network. Working within a fast-paced outpatient psychiatric setting, the MA supports the delivery of high-quality patient care across a range of services including general psychiatric care, therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Spravato (esketamine), IV Ketamine, and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). The MA is responsible for direct patient support, clinical task execution, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure a seamless and compassionate patient experience.Core ResponsibilitiesClinical SupportTake and record patient vitals accurately, including blood pressure, pulse, weight, and temperature. Vitals will be collected and recorded prior to provider visits or treatments.Escort patients to treatment rooms and ensure comfort and safety throughout their visit.Conduct TMS treatments as prescribed and supervised by the clinical provider, following established protocols.Administer Spravato (esketamine) treatment sessions per provider orders, including required monitoring periods and documentation.Support IV Ketamine treatment sessions as directed by the supervising provider.Process medication refill requests, complete the appropriate PA process promptly and route to the appropriate provider for authorization.Serve as the primary liaison between patients and providers, relaying clinical questions, updates, and instructions clearly and professionally.Respond to patient calls in a timely manner, triaging concerns and escalating urgent matters to the provider.Maintain accurate and thorough documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.Adhere to all HIPAA regulations and organizational privacy and confidentiality policies.Administer EKG's, blood draws and injections as requested by the providers.Front Desk Support (Cross-Training)The MA will be cross-trained to support front desk operations during periods of limited staffing:Answer incoming phone calls professionally and route them to the appropriate team member or department.Schedule, reschedule, and confirm patient appointments using the scheduling system.Greet and check in patients upon arrival; verify demographic and insurance information as needed.Collect and process co-pays and patient payments.Manage incoming faxes, voicemails, and patient portal messages, routing appropriately.Provide general administrative support to ensure smooth front desk operations.QualificationsRequiredHigh school diploma or equivalent required; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program strongly preferred.Current Medical Assistant certification (CMA, RMA, or equivalent) preferred, or ability to obtain within an agreed-upon timeframe.CPR/BLS certification required or ability to obtain prior to start date.Experience with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems; experience with psychiatric EHR platforms is a plus.Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work compassionately with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.Ability to multitask effectively in a clinical environment while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.PreferredPrior experience in a behavioral health, psychiatric, or specialty medical practice.Familiarity with TMS or Spravato treatment protocols.Experience in a front desk or patient access role within a healthcare setting.Core CompetenciesClinical Skill & Patient SafetyPatient-Centered CareAttention to Detail & DocumentationCommunication & Provider LiaisonAdaptability & Cross-Functional SupportProfessionalism & DiscretionWork Environment & Physical RequirementsThis position is primarily clinic-based and may require extended periods of standing, walking, and assisting patients. The MA may be asked to support additional local Turnwell Mental Health Network clinic locations as needed. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required. This role involves direct patient contact and may expose the employee to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric distress; de-escalation training will be provided.Compensation & BenefitsTurnwell Mental Health Network offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Benefits eligibility is determined based on employment status and organizational policy. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.About Turnwell Mental Health NetworkTurnwell Mental Health Network is a comprehensive mental health practice dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across all stages of their mental health journey. Our services include general psychiatric evaluation and medication management, individual and group therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Spravato (esketamine), IV Ketamine therapy, and Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). We are committed to breaking barriers to mental health care and empowering our communities through innovation, clinical excellence, and compassion.