The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA/GS6) is responsible for initiating and performing a variety of clerical and administrative duties associated with patient care and treatment for the Radiology Service. (Washington, DCVAMC).
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). Experience and Education. (1) 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. Certification. None required. Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5 English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. Grade Requirements: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 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.). 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. 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. 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). 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6.
Duties: These specific duties are performed for all imaging modalities (e.g. interventional, Computed Tomography, General, Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Ultrasound). Incumbent is responsible maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties. Incumbent utilizes his/her knowledge to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports. Incumbent is responsible interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA National Radiology Program Office scheduling guidelines. Incumbent works independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information. The Incumbent provides the full range of duties in daily administrative Radiology. to include scheduling appointments, including interpreting, and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA National scheduling guidelines and facility policies in accordance with established procedure and updates insurance information administratively manages consultation requests and notifies patients of his\her scheduled appointments. Complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process. Incumbent monitors and manages the Recall Reminder (RR) list and completes follow-up calls to Veterans documenting contacts in CPRS. For patient scheduled greater than 30 days from the Clinically Indicated Date/Patient Preferred Date, the incumbent will ensure the patient is placed on the Veterans Choice List (VCL) and document whether the Veteran would like to "OPTIN" or "OPT-OUT" of participation in the Veterans Choice Program. Utilizes the EWL when access that meets VA scheduling guidelines is not available. Sends, receives and\or processes sensitive information and reports in accordance with established procedures; provides timely and accurate release of medical information for incidental releases and ensures full compliance with Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Privacy Rule, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Departmental regulations, and Medical Center Policies. Incumbent has access to print and use electronic files containing sensitive data, which must be protected under provisions of all applicable privacy guidelines (Privacy Act, 1974, HIP AA, FOIA, etc.) Protects data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration or unauthorized deletion, and follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Performs proper disposition of documents. Schedules appropriate exams on the appropriate imaging cameras in the correct time slots. Sends patient confirmation letters and completes appointment reminder calls. Initial contact for the patient and/or the patient's family. Verify patient PHI per policy. Receives all incoming phone calls and determines the identity of the caller and nature of the call. Routes all calls appropriately. Receives requests for Radiology Service exams from clinicians and reviews requests for desired date. Reviews requests for urgency rating (STAT, Urgent or Routine). Reviews request for correct clinic. Reviews the request for portable exam indicator and notifies technologists of pending portable exams. Verify the reason for exam and the patient listed history are in alignment with the exam ordered. If unable to determine the exam correctness they will contact a technologist. Check in or register patients for correct procedures. Have patients fill out Release of Information forms. Send images from the PACS systems to the CD burner. Maintains patient confidentiality. Incumbent will make arrangements for conferences and meetings, obtains the conference rooms, and arranges the dates and times for these conferences and meetings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, EST Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional