Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Advanced Medical Support Assistant

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is under the direct supervision of the Assistant Chief, VA Care in the Community (VACC) and is responsible for administratively supporting the VACC Program. The AMSA will perform work in conformance with all directives, guidelines, local policies and procedures. They will provide technical information and assistance concerning entitlement to medical benefits, as well as information related to policies and procedures of the various service programs.

Major duties include (but not limited to):

• Follows both oral and written instructions and/or directives as given by the management.
• Requests updated Veteran information by telephone and written correspondence as needed.
• Assist in training new employees.
• Conduct reviews and reports as assigned in relation to Community Care activities.
• Provide technical information and assistance concerning entitlement to CITC medical benefits, as well as information related to policies and procedures.
• Maintain all tracking logs as required.
• Input data in individual tracking logs, VA systems and third-party payor systems accurately.
• Collaborates with the external and internal vendor's and employees to facilitate prompt Veteran care.
• Schedules appointment information into the scheduling system.
• Follow procedures to obtain medical records and documentation as outlines per VA policy.
• Clear copier of faxed medical records/documents daily.
• Verify services performed, matches the services authorized, and scan the records through computerized medical systems.
• Scan a minimum number of medical records weekly.
• Maintains appropriate spreadsheets and reports for tracking and productivity purposes to meet performance measures.
• Annotate in medical data systems to show proper follow-up on consults that can't meet all directives, guidelines, local policies and procedures.
• Utilize correct correspondence, including various forms, letters, and reports.
• Review accuracy of all authorizations, consult information, and scanned medical records.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge and proficiency in the use of assigned computer programs.
• Coordinate with medical providers on behalf of Veterans and obtains medical data.
• Coordinate with clinical staff for approval/disapproval of non-VA outpatient medical care.
• Respond to email and phone messages on a direct line and a customer service line.
• Participate in team huddles and team meetings designed to help manage consults.
• Independently follow up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the team to ensure Veterans receive timely care.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week. Tours will vary and will be discussed during the interview process.

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 identification 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Medical Support Assistant Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.

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.

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:

Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.

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.

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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Grade Determinations:

Knowledge of MSA Practices:

To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting.

Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting.

Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level.

Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship for the full-time workweek.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, candidates must possess the required specialized experience and be able to demonstrate all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) as summarized below.

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

Examples of experience may include:

• 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.
• Possess 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