This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 8,2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 10, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred on August 8, 2025. The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) serves in the Mental Health Service and provides clerical and administrative support for multiple clinical programs within Mental Health Service at the San Francisco VAMC and its affiliated CBOCs.
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. (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, (2) Education. One year above high school; OR, (3) 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: GS-06 In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following experience: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5 Medical Support Assistant grade level. Duties at this level include, but are not limited to: performing a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting; answering phones; greeting patients; relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit; scheduling appointments; including interpreting and verifying provider orders to schedule within scheduling guidelines. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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 independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. 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. 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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting] at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity/difficulty and a range of varieties. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Support Assistant" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-06 grade. Physical Requirements: Typically, the Advanced Medical Support Assistant must be able to operate a computer terminal and be able to manage multiple activities at one time. Work is generally sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items. Work Environment: The work may be stressful due to the accelerated pace for several hours at a time during peak clinic hours or on days that have a large volume of clinic activity.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 8,2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 10, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred on August 8, 2025. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The MSA supports a multidisciplinary staff comprised of LIPs; Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, and Therapists, to include all levels of clinical trainees, Contractors, and volunteers to the Service. Duties include but not limited to: Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery environment (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other specialty care). Operate computerized programs and databases to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive Information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports. Schedule appointments in a clinical setting. Identify customer's concerns, performs the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Serve as the first line representative, primary contact and resource person for individuals requesting information, furnishing them with desired information or directing them to the appropriate resource. Identify and troubleshoot scheduling and staffing problems in the Mental Health clinic in PAD and performs analysis for performance improvement efforts in wait-times, clinic flow and no-shows. Acts as a liaison between doctors, nurses and house staff and is responsible for identifying and resolving problem areas between different services. Keeps track of telephone calls and messages to the front desk phone. Assembles all patient charts and ensures all critical information is listed and then maintains the charts daily. Responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and for applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Obtains and reviews medical information of patients prior to scheduled appointment, such as clinic reminders due, customer service and clinical surveys, and ensures the patient completes all the necessary forms prior to being seen by the provider. Assures proper completion and filing of original medical documentation and forms in the records prior to forwarding to medical records room. Provides file and document management. Maintains all patients' records, either electronic or paper, according to regulation ensuring each entry contains proper patient and health care proper identification. Perform duties as a timekeeper and will provide administrative assistance with Engineering work orders and non-ADPAC related computer work orders. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 662-08035F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized