The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The incumbent's work impacts the administrative aspect of patient care and procedure preparation, including, access, scheduling/coordinating appointments using advanced clinic access principles, managing patient wait times in accordance with clinically indicated priority, patient processing, and customer service. The Organizational Location of the Position is: General Nuclear Medicine at the VA North Texas Health Care System located in Dallas, TX.
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. 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 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). GS-06 Grade Determinations: 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 My Healthy Vet 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: 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 Preferred Experience: Prior experience in Nuclear Medicine or Diagnostic Imaging Knowledge of Nuclear Medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Advanced knowledge of medical terminology Familiarity with VANTHCS Nuclear Medicine scheduling software (Vista Appointment Management, Vista Radiology Package, Nuclear Medicine Information Systems, IPlan. Timekeeping and/or ADPAC experience Experience in providing customer service to Veteran population 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 GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work will be performed in an office/hospital setting with no unique discomforts. Employee works in close proximity to other employees. Work is performed in a clinic responsible for treating patient with a wide variety of medical problems. Lifting to 25lbs;No Lifting (over 25lbs); sitting (7 hours); walking (3 hours); reaching above shoulders (2hours); simple grasping (use of fingers; both hands required, 7 hours); standing (4hours); repeated bending (3 hours); twisting (3 hours); pulling/pushing (over 25lbs); fine manipulation (includes keyboarding 7 hours).
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: The Advanced MSA - General Nuclear Medicine works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model and performs receptionist/scheduler functions, customer service, and other duties assigned for the proper and timely diagnosis & treatment of patients and maintains appointment schedules for multiple Nuclear Medicine Service clinics with primary responsibility over General Nuclear Medicine Section. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that Veterans are scheduled within the appropriate timeframe and in accordance with the ordering provider's clinically desired date. Reviews schedules and ensures clinic slots are managed appropriately to maximize capacity/appropriate utilization. Incumbent must screen/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes. Resolves/triages informal complaints and responds to requests for non-technical information on such subjects as status of reports, procedure phase status, hours of operation, how to complete various medical forms, as well as appropriate procedure preparation, including but not limited to General Nuclear Medicine & Bone Densitometry Procedures. As appropriate, makes referrals to other Nuclear Medicine staff. Assists medical personnel with scheduling of patients for other medical procedures, as required, including coordination of procedures in other Services, as well as multiphase/multi-day exams. Relays information to patients such as preparations needed for tests, the status of tests, proper diet/activity/medications for certain procedures, and other general information. The incumbent answers and/or directs patient questions related to radiation exposure and maintains a working knowledge of NHPP/NRC Radiation Safety guidelines. Notifies his/her supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated/clinically indicated timeframes. Daily review of active/pending orders/consults, future desired date/clinically indicated appointments, and return to clinic orders for accuracy and disposition. Ensure that procedures are reviewed by a Nuclear Medicine provider for clinical appropriateness prior to scheduling, in accordance with Joint Commission standards. Directs work of other Nuclear Medicine Medical Support Assistants in the absence of the supervisor and/or Lead MSA. Requires knowledge of changes to VHA directives, regulations and local policies and constant coordination to ensure compliance and standardization associated with Advanced Clinic Access principles. Initiates, locates, annotates, updates, and files patient medical records to include inserting additional forms and charts, filing results of treatments, recording a variety of provider's orders or notes on various charts and records, filing results and other documentation as· required by the medical staff. Establishes and maintains office records and information files of various types that may be needed or assist in the efficient operation of the Service. Uses word processing software to create, copy, edit, store, retrieve, and print forms, letters and reports. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1530; 0730-1600; 0800-1630 Incumbent may be required to rotate shifts. Travel: Travel may be required to other Nuclear Medicine points of service. 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 #:000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized