This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 2 2026. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/01/2026. 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. Experience. Six (6) 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 (1) 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. 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. 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: One-year equivalent to at least next lower grade level (GS-5). Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-679-6.Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-679-5 grade level. Assignment. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant 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. Recommend 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 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, dated August 1, 2019. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking; standing, and carrying light items are required. Light filing, sometimes involving working close to the floor, is involved. Wrist and back protection can be provided to minimize the risks associated with prolonged use of automated data processing equipment.
The Advanced Medical support assistant (AMSA) plays a critical role in coordination patient care across various healthcare services, ensuring seamless scheduling and support within the VA System. This position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple task efficiently, and a commitment to providing excellent patient service. Advanced Medical Support Assistant Duties consist of but are not limited to the following: Serves as the administrative subject matter expert within the patient care team. Provides administrative support and is an integral member of the clinic team to effectively carry out daily administrative operations of the clinic. Develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient and interdisciplinary care team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. Assists with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicates with non-VA medical facilities. Develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care to include but is not limited to consult status and test results. Participates in team huddles and team meeting to manage and plan patient care. Sets priorities and deadlines, adjusts follow and sequencing of work to meet team and patient needs. Collaborates with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions, and enters appropriate information into the electronic patient medical record. Participates and provides feedback and input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings. Performs administrative follow up actions and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the clinical team to assure continuity of care. Performs administrative duties in support of provider panel management using various VHA databases to extract, categorize, and collate specific patient/provider metrics required to manage the chronic and preventive health care needs of the panel. Develops and maintains specific reports used by the patient care team to monitor, track and trend care delivery as well as participating and leading quality improvement efforts focused on cost, access, quality and customer satisfaction. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Functional Statement: 30007F Compressed/Flexible: not available Telework: not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized