Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience. No experience required. 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 English Language Proficiency.

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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

GS-6 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care. (b) Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. (c) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. (d) Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g., medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met. (e) Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. (f) Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers.

This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns.

03Preferred Experience

None 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-6.

04Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) for the Behavioral Health Service at Harry S. Truman VA Hospital.

The incumbent coordinates duties that directly support the Service in advanced scheduling efforts that facilitate performance measure success, consult referrals, and the overall establishment and maintenance of the flow of patient care throughout all teams within the service, to include the PTSD Clinical Team, Addictions Treatment Program, Behavior Health Recovery Team, Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychological Services, and both telemed and therapy services at each CBOC.

The duties include but are not limited to: Identifies incomplete encounter information and communicates findings to providers to facilitate accurate workload credit and revenue collection. Ensures all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Performs receptionist customer service duties. Screens/receives phone calls in a courteous manner, determine nature of requests, and provide the desired information using privacy rules.

Responds to urgent written (faxed) requests for medical information from hospitals and/or doctors. Schedules appointments and utilizes the Electronic Waiting List accurately in a timely manner. Provides administrative support to Physicians, Psychologists, Nurses, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, and other administrative and professional staff throughout the Behavioral Health Service area.. Serves as timekeeper for entire Behavioral Health Service Line.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized