This position is located within the Fargo VA Medical Center. The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is responsible to provide medical administrative support to one or more inpatient units and is an integral member of the inpatient team to effectively carry out day-to-day administrative operations of the hospital. This person serves as a resource to peers, is independent in practice, and proactive in problem solving.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Grade Determinations. Medical Support Assistant, GS-3 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. ii. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. iii. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience in 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. Two years of education above high school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to [facilitate medical care for patients]. ii. Ability to use, [and navigate between], various types of office automation equipment and software [(i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care]. iii. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. iv. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 (Full Performance) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-4] grade level; OR, Education. Four years of education above high school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. 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. ii. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. iii. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties[performing patient support work. v. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally [in person, electronically, and/or by telephone], with internal and external customers. vi. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years Microsoft Word and Excel; 1 year medical office experience; 1 year of medical terminology. 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. 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.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Possess knowledge of eligibility for VA medical care, priorities for care, release of information, Electronic Filing of commitment forms, bed management, scanning records and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Laws. Possess a solid knowledge of current computer technology regarding imaging applications, Fax applications, Computerized Patient Record System and numerous Vista applications. Be conscientious regarding the confidentiality of the variety of material that will be handled. The position requires a practical knowledge of an extensive body of the organization's rules and regulations governing confidentiality, including but not limited to the Privacy Act, HIPAA, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and 38 U.S.C. 7332 governing the release of records containing information regarding the treatment of drug and/or alcohol abuse, Sickle Cell Anemia and infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Skill in compiling readily available data from prescribed sources; knowledge of the organization to search and review records, files, or electronic data banks to locate information needed, and to verify information given. Familiarity with one or more established automated systems to enter, correct, and retrieve factual information. Ensures forms and supplies are adequately stocked on the unit. Is responsible to maintain a neat and clean work area and safe work environment. Possess working knowledge of hospital processes and services to function in and interact with various clinical services throughout the Medical Center. Employee must have knowledge and ability to apply policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect workload data and patient care unit operations. Aware of administrative policies and procedures associated with outpatient scheduling. Provide excellent customer service and must adhere to VA local, National and Service policies and procedures and exhibit ethical conduct all times. Employee must complete and adhere to necessary annual VHA training requirements. He/she has a key role in the VHA Network Performance Measures for Customer Service, Access to Care, and overall quality of healthcare delivery. Provides administrative support to the interdisciplinary care team and other administrative and professional staff throughout the inpatient areas. Performs a variety of clerical duties on the inpatient units which support the care activities on the inpatient unit. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm and weekend rotation approximately 1x/month Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized