Medical Support Assistant (advanced) - Specialty Care

Advanced Medical Support Assistant

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.

Responsibilities include 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

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)

Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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

Qualifications 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).