Medical Support Assistant

Full Job Description

VA Puget Sound Healthcare Systems is looking to fill 2 Medical Support Assistants positions in Auburn, WA.

The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (insert closing date) 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.

English Language Proficient.

Experience: No experience required Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

Grade Determinations: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) Experience.

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-3). OR Education: One year of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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.

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.

Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.

Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) OR Education: Two years of education above high school.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must demonstrate 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 basic 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679. 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: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing or walking however, there are no physical requirements for the 0679 Medical Support Assistant occupation.

Major Duties:

Medical Support Assistants provide administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans.

Our mission is to provide efficient and effective healthcare services by promoting and enabling the delivery of timely, accurate, accessible health care.

VA is committed to cultivating a dedicated workforce of highly skilled employees who understand, believe in, and take pride in VA's mission.

MSAs are essential to the success of this mission and may be assigned to many areas of the medical center. GS-3 Level: This is the entry level of the position.

The MSA will receive more frequent guidance from experienced MSAs to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts 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.

GS-4 Level: This is a developmental level MSA position.

It is expected that MSAs will receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor.

Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts 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.

The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member. GS-5 Level: This is the full performance level MSA position.

The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage.

Work Schedule: Typically Monday-Friday 8am-430pm. Tours will be discussed during the interviews.

Salary Range: GS 3 ($38,714-$50,333) GS 4 ($43,457-$56,497) GS 5 ($48,621-$63,208) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment incentives may be authorized for new Federal appointees, in accordance with agency policy.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized