Advanced Medical Support Assistant (Open Continuous)

Duties

• This is an Open and Continuous announcement for multiple locations/positions and can be taken down at any time.

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to;

• Work within the team to set team priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs.
• Maintains and monitors patient appointment schedules for the clinic and communicates delays to the appropriate staff and patients.
• Assures all visitors and telephone calls are answered and referred in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Update and verifies patient demographic information.
• Performs scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling of patient appointments and consults.
• Scan and enters information into VISTA, CPRS
• Analyze situations to determine what decisions can be made or if advise of higher authority is needed.
• Resolves complaints of a local administrative nature and refers other complaints to appropriate authorities.
• Provides information regarding clinic and hospital policies, procedures and locations to patient(s), family members, and staff.
• Maintains patient's confidential records
• Develop and maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient interdisciplinary team, VA Medical Centers, and other agencies.

Work Schedule: Decided at hiring, based on operational needs, rotating and irregular shifts which may include days, nights, weekends and holidays.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Experience. Six months experience of clerical, office, [customer service], or other [administrative] work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position;
• Experience and Education.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

OR,

• Education. One year above high school;

OR,

• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

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).

Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6

• Assignment. The Advanced MSA [provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working] collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model [ ]. [Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates] with the patient care team to review clinic [appointment availability] (utilization) [ ] to ensure that clinic [schedules are] closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and [makes adjustments as necessary]. [MSAs at this level] develop [and/or] maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary [coordinated care delivery model teams] , VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; [prepare correspondence] to notify patients of normal lab results; [ ] manage a [ ] system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.). Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: [processes incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealthyVet and coordinates with care team as appropriate; participates in] team huddles and team meetings to manage, plan, [problem solve, and follow-up with] patient [care by sharing information and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team]; setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; [identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers; as needed; assists] the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions; [enters] appropriate information into the electronic record; monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure; [manages patient systems] to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether [the patient requires an immediate appointment; informs team members] about shared patients ([i.e]., those who receive their care at multiple [VA centers] or those who [receive] care in the community) [ ]. For all [assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time].
• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below: i. 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.] ii. [Ability to independently] set priorities and organize [ ] work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. iii. 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]. -iv. 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. [v.] 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. [vi.] Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, dated August 1, 2019. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf this can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The Medical Support Assistant work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking; standing, and carrying light items are required. Light filing, sometimes involving working close to the floor, is involved. Wrist and back protection can be provided to minimize the risks associated with prolonged use of automated data processing equipment.

Education

There is no substitution of education at the GS-06 grade level

Additional Information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .