The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) in the Surgery Center and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) provides specialized administrative support to facilitate the care of surgical and procedural Veterans before, during, and after anesthesia. The incumbent independently performs a full range of duties related to scheduling, coordinating, and communicating of veteran care across multiple specialties.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-6 This position is above the full performance level for this job series and requires experience beyond the basic requirement for positions in this occupation. You must meet the basic requirements and the following: REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level that equips the candidate with the following: 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; Schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting; Work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work; Communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers; Customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities below: 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 organizes 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. 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: 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.
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Verifying provider orders, scheduling and rescheduling surgical procedures, ensuring required documentation is completed and available in the medical record. Communicates effectively with nursing staff, surgeons, anesthesia providers, and ancillary services to ensure accurate and timely flow of veterans throughout the perioperative process. Develop/maintain effective/efficient communication with veterans, families, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies. Manages surgical clinic schedule in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology (VISTA), updates encounter information, complete check-in process, document PACU completion, and monitors appointment arrivals and transfers. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of medical terminology, clinical workflow, and procedural coordination in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Exercises independent judgment to resolve scheduling conflicts, coordinates communication between surgical and nursing teams, and ensures adherence to all regulatory, privacy, and infection control standards. Other assignments and responsibilities at this level include, but are not limited to, serving as a mentor to incoming staff, completing competencies for ongoing MSA education, maintaining pre-appointment requirements to ensure readiness for veteran day of procedure, participating in and providing input in problem solving on operational issues, and participates in team huddles. Expected to perform daily work independently, using sound judgment to prioritize tasks, resolve scheduling conflicts, and coordinates care with clinical and administrative staff. Work is performed within established policies, procedures, and regulations, and reviewed for accuracy, timeliness, and overall effectiveness in supporting veteran care operations. Functions as an integral member of the Surgery Center/PACU interdisciplinary team and maintains close working relationships with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and nursing leadership. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: 000000