Advanced Medical Support Assistant - Outpatient Clinic Clerk

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.

02Education

High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

03Certification

None required. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. English Language Proficiency.

MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.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).

04Grade Determinations

Advanced Medical Support Assistant GS-6 Grade Level: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

Experience is defined as experience that includes, but is not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.).

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate all the following Knowledge, skills, and abilities for the GS-0679-6 level to qualify for this position: (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. 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). 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

05Physical Requirements

The work is both sedentary and walking. The work requires the ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously in dealing with a wide variety of staff on a daily basis. Tasks will require prolonged use of computers. There are lengthy periods of sitting, interrupted by intervals of walking and climbing stairs about the medical center to make the many personal contacts required of this position.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Advanced MSA performs duties as assigned for the proper and timely treatment of Veterans in an administrative role only. They maintain appointment schedules for one or more outpatient clinics, and assist with clinic access contingency plans by adjusting appointment time(s), location, or dates as well as shift patients to other healthcare providers.

This position provides medical administrative support to outpatient clinics (including Community Based Outpatient Clinics -CBOC's); and is an integral member of those teams. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Screen/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of request, and provide the information desired in accordance with VHA privacy regulations and established release of information processes.

Responsible for accurate appointment management and the coordination of all administrative information between the professional staff and the Veteran. This includes checking-in Veterans for appointments, updating, and verifying demographic information, scheduling and rescheduling appointments, obtaining insurance information upon every visit. Refer Veterans to the eligibility/enrollment office when means testing is required.

Independently handle scheduling problems and deviations based on obtained knowledge of clinic/ward operations and policy, schedules, and provider preferences. Explain the VA's mandate to collect third party insurance information to Veterans, their families, and all eligible patients. Scan and update health insurance information upon every visit.

Perform daily review of active/pending consults, Electronic Wait-List, Recall list and Audio care communications for accuracy and disposition per VHA policies and as assigned. May be asked to work in different outpatient clinics/inpatient wards and/or business offices within HAS to support staffing needs for the department 25% or less of their work week. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 517-22072-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.