The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) in the VA Community Care (VACC) Service Line. The AMSA works 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 community care clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.
***KSA Recommendation - All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in your application may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA (found below) to demonstrate how you have gained each one in your application package or on a supplemental document*** 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 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. Certification: None Required 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: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-6Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, which includes, but not limited to: 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. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II, Appendix G45
The Advanced MSA must screen/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules established by VACC processes and HIPPA. Incumbents must be able to interpret and communicate requirements and assist in training/mentoring others as follows: Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Determine eligibility for care and receive referrals as needed, or direct Veterans to proper departments for assistance if needed. Create referrals/authorizations for episodes of care prior to care being received, and applying an appropriate cost for obligation management if appropriate, confirming authorized services and validity dates. Work with VACC contractors, vendors/agencies to ensure timely appropriate care is provided for Veterans. Schedule appointments per the scheduling policy accurately and in a may require a high level of coordination to avoid patients having to make multiple calls to the medical center or provider whenever possible. Daily review of assigned consults for accuracy and disposition. Follow-up for medical documentation once appointments have occurred. Ensure medical documentation is scanned or uploaded to chart for timely consult closure, and ongoing care needs are met. Manage communication, to include but not limited to the phone lines/voicemails/inbound faxes/secure messages in a timely and appropriate manner. Manage/use all programs associated with VACC (e.g., computerized medical record, VAOS, SharePoints, VSE, Refdocs, Right fax, HRSM, PPMS, VISTA, EPIC, EPSI, CTM, etc and use of portals and databases as needed). 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., documentation, imaging, lab work); participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions (records management, authorizations, etc.). Participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care coordination. Evaluating patient information to determine whether patient is eligible for community care; 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. Frequent contact with patients and staff, the incumbent sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA and with Non-VA providers. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 0800am- 1630 pm Telework: Ad Hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment/ Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required