Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) works at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with multiple schools of healthcare education. The MSA will normally work at one of the locations for the two divisions (Little Rock Division or North Little Rock Division) but is required to work at either location as necessary. Work schedule may include irregular tours, evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the need of the Service in providing coverage to wards.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for protecting printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
• Reviews and communicates provider orders for an inpatient unit to include and not limited to diagnostic tests and treatment activities.
• Using the Electronic Record System, verify providers' orders and forward requests in a timely manner.
• Communicates patient movement (transfers and discharges) to ward staff, providers, and supervisor as needed.
• Processes orders for recurring tests.
• Processes forms for removal from seriously ill status, and forms for release of medical information from other medical facilities.
• Makes proper notification in death cases.
• Assembles record upon reception and discharge of patient, filing clinical material in correct sequential and chronological order, and checking contents for incomplete data before final clearance of records.
• Maintains census information of patients on appropriate forms and databases such as the Bed Management System (BMS) or through computer terminal.
• Clears patients for discharge or transfer, with direction from clinical personnel and Social Workers when required.
• Discharges and transfers of patients to and from the unit.
• Records telephone messages accurately and recognizes and refers urgent messages to the clinical staff for immediate action.
• Sorts and distributes mail and enters work orders.
• Assists patients by contacting volunteers or Social Workers as needed, and veterans' representatives as requested.
• Contact in person, telephonically and electronically co-workers, physicians, nurses, Social Workers, other clinical and administrative staff, patient care teams, suppliers of services, employees of ancillary services providing patient care at this facility and other facilities, representatives of service organizations, veterans, family members, and visitors.

Work Schedule: Full-time, rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. Subject to change based on the needs of the service.

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)

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. 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: 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. High school graduate; or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Medical Support Assistant, GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of] the KSAs below:

Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 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; OR, Education. One year of education above high school.

Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level; OR, Education. Two years of education above high school.

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