This Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) (AMSA) position is in the Office of Community Care of the Alexandria VA Health Care System located in Pineville, Louisiana.
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. Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Certification: None. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6 Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the lower GS-5 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Preferred Experience: Computerized Personnel Records System (CPRS) Customer Service Skills Works Independently Microsoft Word & Excel 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. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) (AMSA) in Community Care works under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant. The AMSA must be flexible and adaptive to remain responsive to multiple demands made by internal and external sources. Community Care Service is responsible for reviewing, authorizing, scheduling and retrieval of medical documents for care in the community programs including, but not limited to: Community outpatient medical care, home health/respite/hospice, dental, dialysis, pharmacy reimbursement and State Home. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant collaborates with the team members about changes to VA policies/procedure and Federal Regulations relating to Community Care. Duties include but are limited to: Performing independently and carrying out programs within the framework of applicable laws, procedures, and objectives Processing Community Care consults per administrative guidelines Verifying eligibility to receive community care Coordinating care through the appropriate channel (direct VA referral, Third Party Administration (TPA) or Provider Agreement) Scheduling appointments in VA system for community appointments Confirming care received Requesting medical documents from community provider/TPA portal Performing administrative functions in VA systems Assisting staff, Veterans, Community Vendors and Claims Processing Unit with identifying and resolving issues pertaining to consult status, authorization details, payment questions, and care coordination Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm; subject to change based on the need of the facility Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00318F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized