Medical Support Assistant

Full Job Description

About the Position: The announcement describes openings for Medical Support Assistant (MSA) positions at Madigan Army Medical Center, located in Tacoma, Washington.

- Work Schedule The positions require rotating shifts, meaning employees may work mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays depending on operational needs.

This is common in 24/7 medical environments.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document. To qualify for the GS-04: General Experience: One year of general experience.

General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled, such as, performing receptionist and clerical duties, including greeting visitors, answering and directing phone calls, organizing and maintaining basic files, and using office automation systems to support daily administrative operations.

OR Education: Two years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of by 60. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for the GS-05: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing clerical or administrative support in a medical clinic, including greeting patients, managing phone and secure messaging systems, scheduling and coordinating appointments, maintaining electronic and paper medical records, preparing routine correspondence and reports, and supporting patient in- and out-processing.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR Education: Four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60.

Add the two percentages. Major Duties:

• Performs receptionist and clerical functions in an ambulatory clinic, including data entry, appointment scheduling, and coordination with specialty services.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves information from electronic health records and other automated systems.
• Completes patient order forms, lab requests, and other administrative documentation.
• Maintains clinic appointment schedules and coordinates patient flow.
• Serves as the first point of contact for patients and visitors in person and by phone.
• Manages secure messaging, routes calls, relays messages, and escalates urgent issues.
• Verifies patient eligibility and provides information on clinic and hospital policies and procedures.
• Communicates appointment delays and resolves routine administrative concerns.
• Maintains accurate electronic and paper patient records in accordance with regulations.
• Ensures completion of required patient forms and performs quality assurance checks on documentation.
• Supports in-processing and out-processing of outpatients, families, and caregivers.
• Notifies staff of patient arrivals and completes end-of-shift and end-of-day reports.
• Prepares routine correspondence, progress reports, medical statements, and statistical reports.
• Responds to emergency calls, follows communication protocols, and operates emergency systems.
• Relays essential information to emergency medical personnel and communicates clearly during emergency operations.