Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the Community Care department. The incumbent performs clerical and administrative support in the coordination, care, and treatment provided to patients throughout the Community Care referral processes in the Saint Cloud MN VA.

The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting, and verifying provider orders in accordance with Community Care Process Guides. Independently recognizes the urgency of the consults and schedules care in accordance. Assignments include, but are not limited to: scheduling, rescheduling patient consults, and monitoring processes related scheduling. Accurately schedules the full spectrum of medical care including but is not limited to outpatient appointments, outpatient procedures, inpatient surgery, lab tests and imaging throughout all specialties. Communicate to the patient and pre- appointment requirements or instructions. Clearly communicate appointment care details to the patient or family. Communicate to the ordering provider or nurse if instructions are of nature that clinical review is required to determine appropriateness for the patient. Identify and communicate patient concerns or needs recognized during communications regarding upcoming appointments. The MSA ensures the integrity of various databases, and data used in the management of administrative and customer service within the department. The MSA understands and utilizes current Community Care software. The MSA participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan flow and sequencing of work to meet the team and patient needs. The MSA utilizes the consult status to support accurate record of the consult as it moves through the process from approval to the point that results are attached to the consult. Independently collaborates, communicates, set priorities, and organize the work to meet deadlines ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. The MSA collaborates with their nursing team, as well as PACT or ordering providers when a consult requires clinical guidance during the scheduling process. Communicates information between community providers, VA interdisciplinary team clearly and timely to facilitate access to care. Informs VA Provider of care that cannot be scheduled within his/her recommended time frame and assists provider as needed in identifying alternate location or option to access care timely for the patient. Provides follow up calls to patients when it is identified that an appointment was not attended. Incumbent assists patients in rescheduling appointments in cases of missed or no-show appointments. The MSA recognizes the importance of scheduling care in the correct sequence and timing when multiple Community Care appointments are necessary. Effectively coordinates this care when multiple vendors or agencies are involved. The MSA interprets VA guidelines and assists with communicating these to patients, families, agencies, employees, and Veterans' organizations. The MSA provides information and guidance to agency employees regarding scheduling processes as requested.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 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 3.j.

GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) 1. Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. 2. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. 3. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.

GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) 1. 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. Examples of experience include but are not necessarily limited to: meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments; utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems; utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. OR 2. Education: Two years above high school. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. 4. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) 1. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level. Examples of experience would include but not be limited 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; 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; knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients; skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. OR 2. Education: Four years of education above high school. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. 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. 2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. 3. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. 5. Ability