LEAD MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Full Job Description

The incumbent works at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) at the Palo Alto Division.

The position is organizationally aligned under Surgical Service and is expected to work closely with all members of the assigned surgical specialty team(s) and will receive program direction and guidance from Surgical Service staff and leadership, including the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA), Business Manager, Administrative Officer, Section Chief or designee.

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.

Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-7 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-6] grade level. Assignment.

The Lead MSA [is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit.

The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings.

The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.] 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.

Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.

Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.

Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. Ability to provide staff development and training.

Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs.

This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary.

It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects.

The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

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. Grade Determinations.

In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Major Duties:

The Lead MSA monitors and makes work assignments for all specialties in Surgical Service, provides input on performance, and resolves daily workplace issues.

The Lead MSA maintains efficient workflow assignments which include, but are not limited to: ensuring coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work; ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; ensuring all training requirements are met; organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas; and acting as liaison between MSA and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts.

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 09714-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required