The Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System is seeking a highly energetic candidate to fill an Medical Support Assistant vacancy for the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System. This position is located on a (Inpatient Ward). The ideal candidates resume must be skilled in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns and ensure overall customer satisfaction and resolution, ability to operate computer programs, and scheduling of appointments.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation 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). (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was converted to [Title] 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation 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: GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) 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.). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Ability to operate computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports. 2. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 3. Ability to make appointments in a clinical setting. 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work. 5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. 6. Ability to identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/117, PART II, APPENDIX G45 Dated August 1, 2019; Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) interact with both internal and external customers providing exceptional customer service and ensuring overall customer satisfaction. Candidates will be reviewed for minimum qualifications as outlined in the qualifications section of this announcement and referred to the Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System MSA Interview panel. Ideal candidates resumes must be skilled in customer service, identify customer concerns, customer satisfaction and resolution, ability to operate computer programs, and scheduling of appointments. In addition, you will be contacted by various entities within Human Resources to begin all pre-employment processes and must satisfy all condition of employment before a firm offer of employment is made. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serving as the initial point of contact for the Inpatient Ward Scheduling patient appointments Tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults and other elements in the electronic medical record and medical systems Posting appointments Providing excellent customer service Ensures that all required activities have been completed prior to discharged Process patient information (admits, bed switches, provider changes and transfers) in various medical systems Verifying orders are accurate Notifying staff of STAT and emergency orders Maintain, review and update patient records according to set procedures Coordinates the release of information to various organizations in support of direct patient care needs Ensures all patient requests are noted in charts Respond to technical questions from patients or family members Cover staffing shortages to ensure the overall function of Health Administrative Service Work rotated weekends and holidays throughout the year as needed SUPERVISORY CONTROLS 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 outpatient setting. Supervision is generally limited to review of overall results on daily scheduling reports, insurance date capture, and standards of performance as well as feedback from the clinic team to ensure mission accomplished. CUSTOMER SERVICE Must have at least six months of customer service experience in a position that required daily direct customer interactions. Meets the needs of the Veteran customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the Veteran with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 3:00pm-11:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized