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Posted: April 15, 2026 (6 days ago)

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Medical Support Assistant (Patient Care Service)

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$36,464 - $53,450

per year

Closes

April 22, 2026More VA jobs →

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This entry-level job involves handling administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, entering patient data, and communicating with nursing staff and patients at a VA medical center in Indianapolis.

It's a support role that acts as a bridge between healthcare teams and patients or external contacts.

A good fit would be someone organized, good with computers, and comfortable interacting with diverse people, even without prior experience.

Key Requirements

  • U.S. citizenship (non-citizens may qualify in limited cases)
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English
  • For GS-5: One year of experience equivalent to GS-4 or two years of education above high school (transcripts required)
  • Ability to use computer systems for entering and retrieving patient data
  • Knowledge of basic to advanced medical terminology
  • Strong customer service skills for interacting with patients and healthcare teams

Full Job Description

The Indianapolis Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center seeks motivated individuals to serve as Medical Support Assistants in Patient Care Services.

MSAs perform a range of administrative and clerical tasks and serve as the key link between nursing staff and internal or external customers.

Note: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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.

All other requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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).

Grade Determination: In addition to meeting basic requirement listed above, applicant must possess at least one year experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level, GS5 (Full Performance level), that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

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

In addition candidates must demonstrated all of the KSA's below: Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.

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

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

In addition candidates must demonstrated all of the KSA's below: 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 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 Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients 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 creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR Education. Two years of education above high school.

TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition candidates must demonstrated all of the KSA's below: 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.

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

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

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

Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Grandfathering Provision: 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).

Physical requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work.

However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, or driving an automobile, etc.

No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELoDuties of the Medical Support Assistant are to include, but not limited to: Provides front-line assistance to customers with questions or concerns.

Responsible for interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Schedules, cancels, and re-schedules patients' appointments and/or consults.

Applies discernment and sensitivity when performing tasks required to resolve issues accurately and timely.

Utilizes computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive information and various data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems, and/or reporting formats.

Verifies and updates demographics and insurance information.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of the associated medical terminology sufficient to be able to communicate effectively with both professional and non-professional employees in a variety of occupations and at various levels of responsibility.

Complies with Employee Education requirements by completing mandatory annual assignments and with any other training or education requirements as determined by the supervisor.

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, co-workers and the public. Work Schedule: 7:30 - 16:00 with rotating weekends and holidays.

Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91278-O, 91279-O, 91280-O Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized 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) 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)

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Posted on USAJOBS: 4/15/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/16/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSR-12929578-26-GG