The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant assigned to a patient aligned care team, specialty care setting or various departments within the Medical Center. The AMSA will interface with personal computer applications as well as numerous VISTA applicants. Duties may be performed in Clinic Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), Inpatient, and Specialty Care, Mental Health, and Primary Care Outpatient Clinics.
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 or Education: Experience: One (1) year experience of clerical, office or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; OR Education: Four (4) years above high school (transcript is required with application); OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.(transcript is required with application); 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above , the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-06: In order to be found qualified for this position, you must possess the following; Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Examples of experience at the next lower grade must include; Knowledge of medical terminology, Scheduling appointments (including interpreting and verifying provider orders), canceling, re scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; Use of Microsoft Office, 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 facilities or hospitals; Performing basic eligibility, co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage, and Other related support work in a health care setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational level. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care. Advanced knowledge of managing a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect the patient flow, patient care, and the revenue process. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. GS-06 Advanced Medical Support Assistant Assignment: The Advanced MSA provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams , VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate, with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc. Preferred Experience: Minimum two (2) years experience as Medical Support Assistant preferred. Experience with local site Call Center and/or PACT. References: VA Handbook 5005/53; Part II, Appendix G45. MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0679-06. Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06.
Duties 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); Managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; 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 VA's or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. The Advanced MSA plans and organizes work with general assistance from the supervisor as to meet local and VA-wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports and special assignments and only refers to the non-routine and high technical problems to his/her supervisor. The incumbent is responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record. Is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties. Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information. Otherwise, works independently making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performed duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri hours ranging from 8a-430p TBD Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55466 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized