This position is in the Specialty Care Service at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Medical Support Assistants assigned to Pacific Islands Health Care System to include its Outpatient clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics are responsible for performing a variety of technical support duties that facilitate the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide direct patient care.
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. 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. (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; OR, (3) 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 II, 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: 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: 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
At this level, the MSA performs a full range of duties. The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility, ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.). Performs administrative duties, customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients and maintains appointment schedules for one or more outpatient clinics. The incumbent 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. The incumbent must be able to manage their time so as to ensure completion of the many administrative tasks required of them in their role in order to be successful. The incumbent must be cognizant of the many tasks required in performance of their respective roles and be attentive to detail and precise in the gathering and recording of information pertinent to the activities with which they are involved. The incumbent interprets a variety of provider's orders, referrals, specific allergies, and other patient administrative activities such as Means Testing, demographic updates, Beneficiary Travel benefit determination. The incumbent supports patient safety standards using the correct VA identification of all patients through the use of two forms of identification, name and full Social Security Number and/date of birth. The patient may also present the Veterans Identification Card (VIC) for identification. The incumbent must use each interaction with the patient to validate and update patient demographic information, either in person during check-in or over the phone, to decrease the incidence of returned mail due to incorrect addresses and inability to contact patient or designated Next of Kin by phone due to incorrect contact information. The incumbent explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to veterans, their families and other eligible patients. He/she is responsible for identifying, collecting, scanning and updating third party health insurance information at the point-of-service serving a key role in the revenue process. The incumbent contributes to the revenue collection process by identifying patients with third party insurance and updates insurance information in ICB, the success of their efforts directly impact facility funding. He/she promotes veteran registration for and utilization of My Healthe Vet (MHV) by the veteran. The incumbent is expected to independently perform work in conformance with all directives, regulations and VA policies. He/she is expected to contribute and assist in attaining Business Office goals, develop and maintain open communications with others and work well as a team member in order to master the position and provide good customer service to internal and external stakeholders. To do this, he/she must demonstrate recognition of the worth of the customer and coworkers by treating them with dignity and respect. He/she is expected to listen and respond in an appropriate, helpful and professional manner. It is expected he/she will exercise patience, promote a congenial atmosphere and have realistic expectations in day-today operations, especially during periods of understaffing, changes of priority and/or critical deadlines. He/she must willingly and actively assist team members and others when questions arise and/or workload becomes overwhelming or unmanageable. Work Schedule: M-F 0730-1600, possible Saturday Telework: Adhoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01838-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized