Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary
The purpose of this position is to serve as an AMSA assigned to outpatient clinics. The AMSA position is a fundamental role within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Patient Centered Medical Home Model Transformation Initiative. Patient care is delivered in a team-based model known as the teamlet. Members of the teamlet include the AMSA, a Registered Nurse Care Manager, a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, and a primary care provider.
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Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Incumbent is responsible for processing first party requests and ensuring forms are complete and accurate. Receives outside correspondence (fax, letters, etc.) from outside agencies requesting provider's actions for patient care and forwards to the appropriate agency for action.
• Responsible for ensuring non-VA records are forwarded to the appropriate provider for review and forward to the appropriate agency prior to inclusion into the patient's medical record.
• Scans and indexes materials accordingly into CPRS VistA Imaging, on a timely basis and within established guidelines, and makes the proper disposition of documents. After the scanning and indexing process is complete, the incumbent will review the quality of scanned documents to ensure integrity of scanned images.
• A high degree of customer service i.e.; tact, poise, and diplomacy must be used in dealing with Veterans who may have multiple health problems and may be frustrated with the diagnostic process. A caring, compassionate, and sensitive manner is essential in all customer service contacts.
• Schedules appointment with patient input to reduce no shows. This is a critical step to meet "Missed Opportunities" and other medical center performance measures such as "access to care". Continually works with the providers and nursing staff to change appointments when clinically indicated, carefully following medical center, and VHA directives regarding this process. Incumbent is responsible for verifying and completing all orders that he/she transcribes. Incumbent has the ability to overbook patients within set guidelines and refers others to the appropriate person to authorize additional overbooks to the clinic.
• Captures insurance and demographic information on all Veterans, explaining VA's role in insurance reimbursement. Accurately enters insurance information into the buffer and scans both sides of the insurance card. Counsels Veterans on coverage and need for information to ensure maximum reimbursement for VA.
• The incumbent is responsible for running the Encounter Action Required Report (EARR) and providing findings to providers to facilitate accurate workload credit and revenue collection. Incumbent promotes Veteran registration for and utilization of MyHealtheVet (MHV), an online personal health record for Veterans. Performs in-person authentication (IPA) for Veterans requesting initial access to individually identifiable health information within the MHV web-based application.
• The AMSA is responsible for receiving and routing all Veterans who report to the facilities for scheduled and unscheduled examinations and appointments. Ensures that the patients are electronically checked in for their appointments. Responsible for printing the medication reconciliation program, routing slips and confirming with the patient that pre-registration is completed including demographic and insurance information. This must be done promptly so the date/time stamp is accurate for each date of visit. If the information is not correct, incumbent is responsible for updating all pertinent information using the Pre-Registration Menu in VistA or VET LINK. Provides guidance, directions, and instructions to Veterans in relation to their appointments.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment

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

Qualifications
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.
Basic Requirements:

• Certification. None required.
• 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; OR
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Education. One year above high school; OR
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written 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).
Grade Determinations: Applicant must meet the Basic requirement, the Experience and demonstrate all the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the position.
Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-0679-06:
Experience. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.
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.).
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.
• Ability to independently] set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of HIPPA, Release of Information and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
• Have a high degree of customer service, poise, and diplomacy. Have a caring, compassionate and be observant when interacting with Veterans, family members, and employee or peers. Must be respectful and have knowledge of a High Reliability Organization (HRO) and be able to demonstrate this experience.
• 6 months to 1year or more of creditable experience using VISTA, CPRS, VISTA GUI, and/or other VHA electronic health record.
• Experience in medical terminology.
• 1 year or more of administrative experience - health care settings preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0679
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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VA Central Texas Health Care System
1901 Veterans Memorial Drive
Temple, TX 76504
US