This will serve as the Medical Support Assistant (MSA) for the Radiology Service at the San Diego VA Healthcare System.
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 3.j. Experience and Education: Six months experience: 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. GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level)Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4 OR, Education: Four years of education 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, 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 appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic, monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when [patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.). References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; walking up to 1 hour; Hearing (aid permitted);
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf The MSA works collaboratively with the patient care team to schedule outpatient imaging appointments, and to coordinate inpatient imaging procedures.Duties include but are not limited to the following: Review the imaging order to determine the urgency of the request and must differentiate between routine procedures and special studies. Review the request for accuracy and notifies the requesting physician of any discrepancies that would prevent action being taken. Review the patient computerized medical record (CPRS) to extract medical information including but not limited to laboratory reports, allergy information, BUN and creatinine levels, past medical history, and other pertinent medical information needed to schedule patient's imaging appointment. Screen patients to obtain information needed to determine if the patient meets the criteria to receive requested procedure. Uses obtained information to prepare required documents and to determine if the requested procedure requires protocol, if so, submits forms to the radiologist to protocol the order. Determine the patient's pre-appointment requirements and restrictions. Prior to the patient's scheduled appointment, incumbent communicates to the patient the appropriate restrictions and instructions required of the procedure, including but not limited to the patient's requirement to obtain current labs, need to fast, need to take premedication to advert an allergic reaction to contrast, etc. Contact the ordering provider to request an order for pre-medication, labs, etc., if required and not previously requested. Collaborate with the staff of other Services or Special Procedures to ensure all pre-procedure requirements are coordinated, e.g., Anesthesiology, Interventional Radiology, etc. Work Schedule: MONDAY - FRIDAY 07:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Radiology Title: MSA GS-0679-06 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required