Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: January 28, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Fargo, North Dakota
Salary
$45,409 - $59,031
per year
Type
Full Time
More Healthcare & Medical jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $37,764 - $49,094
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-5. Bachelor's degree + some experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves working as an advanced administrative assistant in a VA hospital's surgery department, handling patient scheduling, entering medical information into computer systems, and coordinating care with doctors and nurses to ensure smooth patient support.
It's ideal for someone with office experience who is organized, good at communicating, and comfortable with medical terms and technology.
The role supports veterans' healthcare by managing appointments and resolving patient issues efficiently.
NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
This position is located at the Fargo VA and serves as a Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) in Surgery ICC, to include Desk 2B, Desk 2C, Desk 4C, and GI Suite.
This incumbent's work impacts the administrative aspect of patient care. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Experience and Education. (1) 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, (2) Education.
One year above high school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination.
Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Foreign Education.
To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S.
must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S.
programs. Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level that equips the candidate with the following: 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.
AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i.
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.
ii. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. iii.
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. iv.
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.
v.
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.
vi. 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 GS-6.
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:
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., patient-aligned care team (PACT) or specialty clinic) to review clinic utilization by using various reports; enters appropriate information into the electronic record; performs receptionist duties, customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients.
Performs administrative follow-up actions and maintains appointment schedules for one or more outpatient clinics.
Must assist with clinic access contingency plans by adjusting appointment times, location, or dates as well as shift patients to other healthcare providers as conflict with staffing and/or coverage occurs.
Notifies their supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes.
Conducts daily review of active/pending consults, recall lists, AudioCare communication, and secure messaging for accuracy and disposition.
Coordinates administrative services for Veterans, family members, caregivers, general public, administrative and clinical staff to ensure continuity of patient and outpatient care.
When records are received, the incumbent will ensure that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Veterans' Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
Generates patient reports for validation and monitors activity in clinical areas to ensure consistent and accurate reporting.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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
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