This position serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant at the VA WNY Healthcare System, and is under the supervision of the Health Administration Service. Performs clerical work in support of the care given to patients, such as receiving patients or maintaining patient files; work administering or advising on medical record systems. Analytical ability, judgment, discretion, and dedication to customer service are required.
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: 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. 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: GS-06 Requirements Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level and 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/117; Part II; Appendix G45.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. This position is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, frequent keyboard usage, and carrying of light items. Some positions may require sitting for long periods of time at a computer terminal typing data while talking on a telephone headset. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern.
The employee is at the advanced performance level for a Medical Support Assistant (MSA), performing a full range of duties in Health Administration Service at VA WNY Healthcare System, and has met the basic requirements for this position as outlined in VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G. The Advanced MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensures that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and makes any necessary adjustments. The employee develops/maintains effective and efficient communication with patients and/or caregivers, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicates with non-VA medical facilities; facilitates/processes secure messaging with the patient and team; notifies patients of normal lab results; develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc.). Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; may work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record; monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work); participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions; participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. The Advanced MSA utilizes multiple computer applications in the performance of above duties. Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: 1. Manage written and faxed correspondence, and paper medical records within teamlet (this could be a PACT Team, a team in a particular specialty etc)/team and coordinate release of information in accordance with policy 2. Verify and update demographics 3. Manage health insurance information, verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system 4. Manage workload information, ensuring data captured according to Medical Center and HIMS established methodology using encounter system 5. Assist staff in development, preparation and use of reports associated with group practice performance, workload and business practices to optimize overall clinic practice 6. Coordinate information and actions related to patient care and ancillary services, manage scheduling package, and schedule appointments with Providers as recommended by Providers, clinical team members and integrated interdisciplinary team members in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines, TMS training, Primary Care instruction and business rules 7. Manage Recall Reminder system for assigned teamlet/team 8. Manage assignment and inactivation of patients in PCMM 9. Perform telephone and face to face receptionist duties interacting with both internal and external customers and documents interactions in electronic medical record appropriately or VISTA/Microsoft Outlook using established processes 10. Screen patients to obtain appropriate medical information, providing timely assistance within scope of practice and referring clinical concerns to appropriate team member 11. Process emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals 12. Perform basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.) 13. Recruit and assist with and/or enroll patients in My HealthEVet and Secure Messaging. Work Schedule: Full time; Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: PD000000, PD21J84A, PD21W76A, PD21J84A, PD21J84F, and PD21J84F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required