This is not a remote position. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant supports the Patient Aligned Care Team, coordinating clinic utilization, patient care, and communication with interdisciplinary teams and agencies. Duties include scheduling, managing electronic records, ensuring continuity of care, and handling eligibility and enrollment. Multiple vacancies at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Balcones Heights and the Northwest Healthcare Clinic.
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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: 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, 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: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Experience may include but is not limited to independently performing a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advised 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. 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 employee, etc.). Preferred Experience: PE 1. 1 year Work Experience Scheduling Medical Appointments PE 2. Experience Resolving Costumer Complaints PE 3. Expriences collaborating with clinical staff Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15-pounds Light carrying, under 15-pounds Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (1-hour) Standing (1-hour) Repeated bending (1-hour) Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Specific visual requirement (use of computer screen) Both eyes required Ability to distinguish basic colors Hearing (aid may be permitted) Ability to communicate with patient and staff Prolonged periods of sitting
This is not a remote position. VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf Join Our Team as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant! Make a difference in veterans' lives by coordinating top-tier patient care within our dynamic Patient Aligned Care Team. Thrive in a fast-paced, modern healthcare environment with cutting-edge technology and a supportive interdisciplinary team. Located in vibrant South Texas, enjoy a rich cultural scene, warm climate, and endless outdoor adventures in a region spanning 41 counties, with easy access to San Antonio's historic charm and bustling city life. This is an on-site opportunity to grow your career while serving those who served! Major Duties Reviews clinic utilization and adjusts setup using reports to ensure timely patient access and efficient care flow. Facilitates inpatient to outpatient discharge communication, coordinating follow-up care with teams and clinics. Develops and manages tracking systems for consults, tests, and follow-up care to ensure timely interventions. Schedules, cancels, and reschedules appointments/consults per VHA guidelines for timely care access. Participates in team huddles/meetings to share information and align on patient care plans. Monitors pre-appointment requirements (e.g., X-ray, lab work) to ensure patient readiness for visits/procedures. Processes secure messaging, including notifying patients of normal lab results, to enhance engagement. Evaluates patient information and schedules to confirm vesting status for appropriate care access. Educates providers on shared patients receiving care at multiple VAs or in the community. Manages electronic wait lists to verify accuracy and resolve issues, reducing patient wait times. Assists with patient travel logistics to support appointment attendance. Processes admissions, transfers, and discharges to support accurate care transitions. Verifies and updates demographics and insurance information for accurate patient records. Collects means test data and determines eligibility to confirm care access criteria. Provides clerical support (e.g., letters, calls, labels, rosters, reports) for administrative efficiency. Screens for advance directive and organ donation documentation to ensure compliance. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm 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: Ad-hoc only, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53753-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.