Medical Support Assistant - Surgical Care

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. 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 Physical Requirements.

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

02GRADE DETERMINATIONS

GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above. GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) 1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR 2. Education. One year of education above high school. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.

Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. 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.

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 MSA (Full Performance Level) 1.

03Experience

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR 2. Education. Two years of education above high school. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.

Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. 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. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.

Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. 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 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov) 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.

04Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

This is at the entry level of the MSA position. The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant in the Surgery Care Service Line. S/he works at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Center, Minneapolis, MN. VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Duties of this position are, but not limited to: MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting.

Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. Responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

Assignments include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic, monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments.

Coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employees). Will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous VistA and other VA applications. The incumbent sets and adjusts short-term priorities. Assures timely accomplishment of the workload.

Performs a variety of administrative functions which support clinic/program operations including but not limited receiving/relaying incoming and outgoing telephone messages, receiving and directing patients and visitors, answering routine inquiries, scheduling appointments, managing consults, and maintaining supplies. Promotes team building and improves business practices. Collects and compiles information as needed to carry out the work of the clinic, program or department.

Follows established clinic and appointment scheduling business rules including but not limited to consultations, scheduling, electronic wait lists, recall reminder, encounter action required reports, insurance capture, AudioCare, and missed opportunities. Is aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Routinely and timely shares pertinent information. Accepts other ideas and integrates appropriate ones into practices.

Uses email communication as well as verbal communication in an appropriate manner. Refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team members. Fields and resolves customer complaints. Refers more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000