Medical Support Assistant

Full Job Description

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

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.

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.

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, GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must demonstrate all of] the KSAs below: i.

Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. ii.

Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. iii.

Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 Experience.

One year of experience in 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.

Two years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to specialized experience, candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i.

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.

ii. 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. iii.

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

Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-4] grade level;OR, Education. Four years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to specialized experience, candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i.

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.

ii. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. iii.

Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. v.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. vi.

Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the [appropriate staff], as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Experience: Data entry.

Medical Terminology. Scheduling experience. Experience with Electronic Health Record Modernization.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Medical Support Assistants assigned to the Patient Care Service are responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties and is the liaison between the nursing staff in their assigned area and customers both internal and external to the medical center.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides excellent customer service; serves as the receptionist for the nursing station with the ability to determine the nature of calls and answering questions of visitors to the ward.

Responds to appropriately to callers and visitors to assure that all messages are communicated in a timely manner.

Accurately and timely processes patient movements; admits, discharges and transfers in Veterans Health Information systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) according to established guidelines.

Schedules clinic appointments using vista scheduling options in open clinics. Schedules discharge appointments to ensure timely discharge and improve patient flow.

Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. Complies with the mandatory training requirements for outpatient scheduling process.

Accurately maintains and reviews patient's medical record according to set procedures; coordinates the release of information.

Verifies physician orders and notifies nursing staff of STAT and emergency orders. Enters lab, x-ray, and EKG orders during STAT situations.

Inputs and extracts data of a highly technical nature; ensures productivity is maintained at the established level; is able to effectively perform MSA duties in the event of computer downtime according to established practices; acts as a member of the emergency team in cases of codes, disasters, fire, or other emergencies by handling phone calls, directing traffic, and functioning in whatever capacity is needed during the emergency.

Work Schedule: 3:30pm-10:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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 Financial Disclosure: Not Required