The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) and provides clerical administrative support in the coordination, care, and treatment provided to patients throughout the Specialty Care Integrated Clinical Community (ICC), to include Pulmonary, Cardiology, Palliative, Kidney, Oncology/Infusion, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Diabetic Education, Neurology, Infectious Disease, Front Desk/Emergency Department and other specialty care areas.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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. Grade Determinations. Medical Support Assistant, GS-3 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. ii. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. iii. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience in 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. Two years of education above high school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to [facilitate medical care for patients]. ii. Ability to use, [and navigate between], various types of office automation equipment and software [(i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care]. iii. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. iv. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 (Full Performance) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-4] grade level; OR, Education. Four years of education above high school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive [medical and patient identifying] information [(PII)] into or from electronic [health] records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. ii. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. iii. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties[performing patient support work. v. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally [in person, electronically, and/or by telephone], with internal and external customers. vi. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Experience: Excellent customer service, ability to communicate well verbally and in writing with Veterans, coworkers, lead and supervisor. Scheduling experience, ability to multitask and pick up efficiently where left off after multiple interruptions. Ability to prioritize duties and organize daily workload. Good sense of teamwork. Environment is fast paced always requiring the calm and efficient need to be prepared for the unforeseen and unexpected. Elements of flexibility, must be able to work interchangeably on different teams with diverse personalities. Being self-motivated and organized. Knowledge of clinic workflow is beneficial. Some medical terminology is helpful. 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Duties include, but are not limited to: The incumbent advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is 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. Assignments include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, rescheduling patient appointments (Consults, RTCs, VVCs, and additional modalities); 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 outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating third party insurance information when patients check in for appointments. The MSA 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.). The MSA collaborates and communicates with a wide range of internal and external customers. The incumbent must maintain professional and effective communication [in person, electronically, and/or by phone] to accomplish team goals and ensure that medical care to patients is met. MSA has skill in customer service with the ability to identify concerns and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Incumbent has ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. MSAs have advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinic staff instructions to patients. Incumbent can operate computerized programs and systems to retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems and/or reports. The MSA carries out additional duties or tasks as requested that may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations and facility needs. 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