Medical Support Assistant

Full Job Description

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) serves on the Health Administration team within the Central Iowa VA Healthcare System.

The MSA handles receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information using personal computer and Vista applications.

Duties are performed across multiple settings, including CBOCs, the Telephone Call Center, and Inpatient and Outpatient Clinics.

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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.

Licensure/Certification/Registration. None Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency.

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.

§ 7403(f).Basic Requirements: GRADE DETERMINATION: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above. GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) 1. Experience.

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR 2. Education. One year of education above high school. (Transcripts Required) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1.

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.

2. 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. 3.

Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. 4.

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) 1.

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR 2. Education. Two years of education above high school.

(Transcripts Required) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1.

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.

2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. 3.

Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. 5.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. 6.

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: Scheduling Capabilities 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. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

The position requires the incumbent to physically report for work to the Des Moines, IA VAMC.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patients' 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; Reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record; Maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties; Communicating with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills; Making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performing duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required.

Work Schedule: Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized