Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

This announcement will close on 09/11/2025, the first 100 applications received will receive first consideration. All applications received up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time of the day the applicant count maximum is reached will be considered. Applications that are submitted after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date on which the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration. This position is NOT part of a bargaining unit.

Responsibilities

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Medical Support Assistant. The Medical Support Assistant will function in Patient Care Administrative Service (PCAS), Patient Transfer Center (PTC). Duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Scheduling appointments
• Interpreting and verifying provider orders
• Scheduling, canceling, rescheduling patient's appointments and/or consults
• Preparing the clinic for visits
• Monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointment for areas of responsibility
• Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information
• Processing emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals
• Performing basic eligibility, co-pays, and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage

Work Schedules: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, plus Rotating Weekends & Holidays

Telework: Ad-hoc telework schedule may be available per agency directive.

Functional Statement #: Medical Support Assistant / (GS-5) 91462A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.

You may be required to serve a probationary period.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

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. 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 accepted.

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:

GS-5 Medical Support Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level OR four years of education above high school.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• Ability to operate computerized programs and [systems] in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information 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.
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

The full performance level of this occupation is GS-5. Applicants will be selected at the GS-5 grade level.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work of this position is primarily sedentary working closely with others or alone. There may be some walking, standing, bending, kneeling, carrying of light items under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, driving an automobile, etc. The work environment typically involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of an office, meeting or training room. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional Information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.