These positions are aligned under Medical Administration Service (MAS), the largest administrative department in the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SG VHS) which provides quality clinical programs and services to Veterans. In addition to two medical centers in Gainesville and Lake City, we offer a number of services in several satellite outpatient clinics and community-based outpatient clinics located throughout North Florida/South Georgia.
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 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. 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 3j. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Certification: None Required. 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: Advanced Medical Support Assistant GS-6 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Assignment: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working 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 clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics and makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the following 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: The Medical Support Assistant work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking; standing, bending, twisting and carrying light items are required. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, dated August 1, 2019. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf this can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative duties in support of patient care and one or more of the outpatient specialty clinics, primary care clinics, or inpatient wards. The Advanced MSA is expected to provide administrative coordination of patient care and to advise the professional staff on administrative and logistical factors associated with direct patient care. Advanced Medical Support Assistants are considered chief sources of patient care and patient flow information. The position typically has responsibility for the overall coordination of clinic cancellations, clinic schedules to include appointment scheduling and changes, arrangements for special studies, appointment check-ins/checkouts, consult tracking, verification of doctors orders and treatment orders, completeness and accuracy of all actions/documentations and making transportation arrangement for patients. The work includes functions such as serving as an initial point of contact for the units, clinics, patient, call centers, to include, but not limited to, scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the electronic medical record and medical systems. This series includes work that requires a practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems and software related to patient care, the healthcare system's organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment, knowledge of standard procedures, utilizing medical records, and medical terminology. Performs additional duties as assigned to support the VA Mission. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 7:00am - 3:30pm; 7:30am - 4:00pm; 8:00am - 4:30pm Paltaka Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 - 5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51003F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized