Medical Support Assistant (Adv)

Full Job Description

The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)'s in Care in the Community Service. S/he works at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Incumbent provides administrative support to designated patient care areas, with a strong emphasis on customer service and positive communication.

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 and Education.

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. English Language Proficiency.

MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.

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: 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: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6 Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g.

medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met.

Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.

Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers.

This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns.

Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals as it relates to access to care.

Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc.

Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Advanced Medical Support (AMSA) Position serves as a facilitator for Veteran care and referrals to private sector providers and organizations within the community.

As such the position acts upon referrals provided by VA Physicians to assist veterans in scheduling outside visits, ensuring veterans keep their scheduled appointments, conduct follow up necessary as part of their treatment and retrieval of medically pertinent information (medical records) and ensuring that proper billing is pre-authorized.

Duties may include but are not limited to: Maintaining appointment schedules for Community Care. Communicating with Community Care providers to ensure they accept VA patients and payments.

Maintain current provider agreements or contracts. Prepares any required pre-appointment documents. Process and document the consults following proper guidelines/ procedures.

Obtains medical documentation from community providers. Coordinates internal and external care between customers and providers.

Audits authorizations, reviews payments, and reconciles with community providers on outstanding claims.

Work closely with all Community Care staff and provide assistance to other areas/units/sections, performing duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Performs work involving the collection, compilation and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of organization's program operation.

Receives and processes documents and reports in accordance with establish procedures. Reviews documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system.

Work Schedule: Monday -Friday, 7:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m.; subject to change based on Agency needs. Relocation 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 #: 598-00457-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.