Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

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. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

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 listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-06: Experience. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service (GS-05). AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.

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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

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. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.

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.

Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or Higher: If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision: Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official).

Preferred Experience. One year of medical scheduling. Experience utilizing EHR Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple administrative responsibilities in a fast paced/ high volume health care environment. Strong customer service skills, including experience resolving scheduling conflicts, and managing a high volume of calls. Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and organizational skills.

Experience working with specialty care clinics, rehabilitation services, or multidisciplinary health care settings. 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.

03Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional These positions serve as a Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) at VA Providence Healthcare System. Position is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to the assigned section. The AMSA candidate is primarily responsible for customer service, scheduling and administrative support for the assigned clinics/providers and other duties as assigned.

The incumbent coordinates evaluations and treatment appointments in all PM&R outpatient clinical areas for all locations assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to: Supports clinics regarding clinic profile management; Collects and updates insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients; Prepares correspondence and memos as needed; Screens/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of request and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes; Ensures data is entered into VISTA accurately and scans documents into VISTA Imaging within 24 hours of entering the data into VISTA if applicable; Promotes Veterans registration for and utilization of MyHealthyVet (MHV) and kiosks usage; Follows procedures regarding Community Care referrals; Serves as the initial point of contact for units, clinics, patients, call centers, Care in the Community regarding various aspects of patient appointments and referrals; Enters Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately; Pre-Registers Veterans during check-in and utilizing call lists and telephones Veterans before their scheduled visits.

Incumbent updates all patient demographics; Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient; Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available. 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 authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F01391 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Notifications: This position is covered by a special rate. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position.

Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Do not submit an award SF-50.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.