The Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA is looking to fill a Supervisory Medical Support Assistant position with the Health Administrative Service line at one of the following Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) locations : One position in either location Lewiston, ID or La Grande, OR The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days.. *** INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED ***
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of this announcement closing date04/04/2025 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. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Specialized Experience must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. **Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.** Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679. Published August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing or walking however, there are no physical requirements for the 0679 Medical Support Assistant occupation.
Supervisory Medical Support Assistants (SMSA) provide administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans. Our mission is to provide efficient and effective healthcare services by promoting and enabling the delivery of timely, accurate, accessible health care. VA is committed to cultivating a dedicated workforce of highly skilled employees who understand, believe in and take pride in VA's mission. SMSAs are essential to the success of this mission and may be assigned to many areas (service lines) of the medical center that have a need. The SMSA has the ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Plans, organizes, administers, and directs how the support services work will be accomplished for the organizations served. Assigning work of subordinate staff which requires developing performance standards. Resolving complex issues to ensure that patient services are met. Provides the technical and management guidance necessary to achieve the optimum use of the support service resources which require the application of highly specialized knowledge and skills. Carries out a full range of administrative and supervisory duties, to include assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff and recommendations for awards and advancements. Organizes work, sets priorities and delegates tasks and responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Manages staffing requirements, manages priorities and coordinates work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. Provides briefings, orientations, staff development and training. Develops and formalizes performance evaluations for those under the direct supervision of this position. Provides advisory services to all levels of management regarding the requirements and implications of the services provided and following protocols regarding the hospital's policy and regulations. Successfully transitions new hires into the position by promptly communicating performance elements and standards within applicable timeframes, providing ongoing feedback and coaching, and making appropriate use of the probationary period to assess the employee's ability to perform. An in-depth knowledge of governing laws, regulations, policies and procedures is required in order to provide services within accepted guidelines; and to plan, revise, update and write policies and memorandums affecting support services. Applies knowledge of Medical Terminology, demonstrates advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians in order to be able to communicate effectively with both professional and non-professional employees in a variety of occupations and at various levels of responsibility. Work Schedule: A typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm. *Available shifts will be discussed during the interview process. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized; Recruitment incentives may be authorized for new Federal appointees, in accordance with agency policy. 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) 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