Lead Medical Support Assistant

Lead Medical Support Assistant

This position is in the medical scheduling section at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center, Grand Junction, CO. The incumbent serves as a Lead Medical Support Assistant (MSA) at various areas within Medical Administration Departments using advanced skills and being a subject matter expert in various areas. Must be a current-permanent employee of Western Colorado VA Health Care System. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Monitors and makes work assignments
• Provides input on performance
• Resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow
• Assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility
• Conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work
• Ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments
• Providing guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures
• Distributing and balancing workload
• Creating and maintaining employee work schedules
• Orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees
• Ensuring all training requirements are met
• Organizing the work structure of their assigned areas
• Acting as liaison between MSA and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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)

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)

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 52429-A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

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 - One year 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 - Four years above high school; or Experience/Education - Equivalent combination of experience and education.
• 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 3j.
• Applicant 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:

• For Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-7: One year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-6.
• In addition to the Basic Requirements defined above, the incumbent must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.
• Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
• Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
• Ability to provide staff development and training.
• Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.

Preferred Experience: None.

References: For additional information, please refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standards, GS-0679, dated August 1, 2019. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include the following tasks which may be performed intermittently: Light lifting of up to 15 pounds, light carrying up to 15 pounds, kneeling (1/2 hour), pushing (1/2 hour), fine manipulation (4 hours), reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (1/2 hour), both legs required. Working closely with others, protracted or irregular hours of work. Operate office equipment.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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