The VA New York Harbor HCS is currently recruiting for many Medical Support Assistants for HAS. This position will serve throughout the clinical areas, including all Inpatient Units. This is an open continuous announcement until 3/4/25. Qualified applicants will be referred as vacancies become available. The 2-page resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
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 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 the 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). Creditable Experience: Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting. 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 as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant, GS-5: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following experience or education and required KSAs must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level; Experience includes but is not limited to: scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment; interviewing patients for appointments; referring patients to other medical specialty clinics; providing information to patients necessary to resolve complaints; interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines; OR, Education: Four years of education above high school. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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; Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients; Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers; Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
Medical Support Assistant serves as an integral administrative part of the ward treatment team, responsible for initiating and performing a variety of administrative duties. Employees use a broad working knowledge of all Healthcare System programs and services and of the varying priorities and procedures on the Medical, Surgical, Intensive Care, Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment, and Community Living Center (CLC) units, to provide administrative coordination of patient care and to advise the professional staff on administrative and logistical factors associated with direct patient care. Employee serves as a key contact for Veterans and visitors, providing information and assistance and acting upon administrative matters in the Veteran's interest Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serving as the initial point of contact for the Inpatient Ward Scheduling patient appointments Tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, return to clinic orders and other elements in the electronic medical record and medical systems Ensures that all required activities have been completed prior to discharged Process patient information (admits, bed switches, provider changes and transfers) in various medical systems Verifying orders are accurate Notifying staff of STAT and emergency orders Maintain, review and update patient records according to set procedures Coordinates the release of information to various organizations in support of direct patient care needs Ensures all patient requests are noted in charts Respond to technical questions from patients or family members Cover staffing shortages to ensure the overall function of Health Administrative Service Work rotated weekends and holidays throughout the year as needed Work Schedule: Various full-time tours are available and will be discussed at the time of selection. Tours may include evenings, weekends and holidays. 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) 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.