Medical Support Assistant

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements below within 30 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement.

01Basic Requirements

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Experience. None. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Licensure/Certification/Registration.

None May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. GS-3 Medical Support Assistant (Entry Level): Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS-4 Medical Support Assistant (Developmental Level): Experience or Education. (a) Experience.

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.; OR (b) Education. One year of education above high school. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. (b) Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. (c) Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients. (d) Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e., computer systems, web-based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.

GS-5 Medical Support Assistant (Full Performance Level): Experience or Education. (a) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR (b) Education. Two years of education above high school. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. (b) Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. (c) Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. (d) Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. (e) Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. (f) Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

03Physical Requirements

The work is mostly sedentary. It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects. The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

Duties of this position include but are not limited to: Scheduling appointments. Interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Scheduling, canceling, rescheduling patient's appointments and/or consults. Preparing the clinic for visits. Monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointment for areas of responsibility. Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information.

Processing emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals. Performing basic eligibility, co-pays, and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Support Assistant /(GS-3) 91460A; (GS-4) 91461A; (GS-5) 91462A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized