The purpose of this position is to serve as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant above the full performance level position assigned to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service clinics. The AMSA position is a fundamental role within the Veterans Health Administration Patient Centered Medical Home Model Transformation Initiative. The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System is a Joint Commission accredited, complexity level 1-A facility serving Veterans in 39 counties in Central Texas.
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. 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. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-0679-06: Experience. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 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.). 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 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: At least 3-5 years as an AMSA or previous LEAD Proficient in systems CPRS, Vista, VSE, ISS, JLV, Virtual Scheduling Manager, ICB, Microsoft Office, VetLink, Secure Messaging Must be able to schedule (consults, RTCs) in accordance with VHA Directions 1230, 1231, and 1232, SOPs, Business Rules, and guidance and run various reports (EARR, pending consults/RTCs). Timekeeper experience; VATAS knowledge 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-06. Physical Requirements: "The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds."
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: Collaborating closely with the PMRS team, the AMSA evaluates clinic appointment availability, ensuring schedules are meticulously monitored and adjusted as needed to meet clinic demands. In this role, AMSAs must cultivate and maintain strong communication with both patients and interdisciplinary care teams. Incumbent will be the first line of contact with the Veteran and must be knowledgeable on a wide variety of subjects regarding the VA. They must, at all times, remain friendly and courteous, regardless of the patient's or visitor's attitude or behavior. The incumbent is responsible for running the Encounter Action Required Report (EARR) and providing findings to providers to facilitate accurate workload credit and revenue collection. The AMSA is responsible for receiving and routing all Veterans who report to the facilities for scheduled and unscheduled examinations and appointments. Ensures that the patients are electronically checked in for their appointments. Responsible for printing the medication reconciliation program, routing slips and confirming with the patient that pre-registration is completed including ·demographic and insurance information. Provides guidance, directions, and instructions to Veterans in relation to their appointments. Schedules appointment with patient input to reduce no shows. This is a critical step to meet "Missed Opportunities" and other medical center performance measures such as "access to care". Incumbent is responsible for processing first party requests and ensuring forms are complete and accurate. Receives outside correspondence (fax, letters, etc.) from outside agencies requesting provider's actions for patient care and forwards to the appropriate agency for action. Responsible for ensuring non-VA records are forwarded to the appropriate provider for review and forward to the appropriate agency prior to inclusion into the patient's medical record. Scans and indexes materials accordingly into CPRS VistA Imaging, on a timely basis and within established guidelines, and makes the proper disposition of documents. Captures insurance and demographic information on all Veterans, explaining VA's role in insurance reimbursement. Accurately enters insurance information into the buffer and scans both sides of the insurance card. Counsels Veterans on coverage and need for information to ensure maximum reimbursement for VA. Receives telephone calls and visitors to the VA, (i.e., patients, families, and friends of patients) regarding such things as the availability of, and procedures for obtaining medical assistance, directions and information for contacting various departments, services and requests for changes in scheduled appointments. Incumbent is responsible for running the following reports/queries daily (not all- inclusive): Open Text Orders, Patient Care Encounter (PCB), Recall Reminder Delinquent Report, Recall Reminder Non-Compliant Report, and Consult Tracking Report. Must work in a multi-screen computer environment being able to use VistA and CPRS (Computerized Patient Record System) screens bilaterally. Example: when a consult is received the patient's information is displayed in VistA. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm based on the needs of the service; occasional weekend as needed Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 53752-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized