Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

The purpose of these positions is to serve as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the VISN 1, VA New England Healthcare System at the CWM VHA, in Leeds MA. The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to increase scheduling and communication integrity across all services. Work is performed collaboratively in an Interdisciplinary Coordinate Care delivery model (Patient Aligned Care Team, or Specialty Care Setting).

Responsibilities:

GS-03 Medical Support Assistant (MSA): This is an entry level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs at this level receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. At this level, MSAs apply general rules and policies relating to clinic functions, staff, and automated data processing methods in support of treatment to patients.

GS-04 Medical Support Assistant (MSA): This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs at this level receive minor and less frequent guidance from higher experienced staff members for more difficult tasks.

GS-05 Medical Support Assistant (MSA): This is the full performance level. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.). Other duties include, but are not limited to: collecting and updating insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients; preparing correspondence and memos as needed; screening/receiving phone calls in a courteous and timely manner; ensuring data is entered into VISTA accurately and scanning documents into VISTA Imaging; promoting Veteran registration for and utilization of HealtheVet (MHV); stocking basic office supplies for the clinical area; entering Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately; utilizing call lists and telephones to pre-register them before their scheduled visits; updating all patient demographics; communicating and interacting with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient; assuring that all appropriate VA forms are used correctly, and regulations followed; additional duties or tasks may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations.

Work Schedule: 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday, Tours (8:00am-4:30pm) and (7:30am-4:00pm), EST

Telework: Not Available

Functional Statement #: To be assigned at the time of selection based upon grade.

GS-03-F03813, GS-04-F03812, GS-05-F1390

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

NOTES: This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

EDRP is not authorized.

This is an Excepted Service Position.

Excepted Service - "The First year of continuous service in the same and similar position of a preference eligible in the excepted service is a trial period. The first 2 years of continuous service in the same or similar position of an individual in the excepted service (other than a preference), is a trial period."

This position is not in a Bargaining Union.

The full performance of this position is GS-05.

The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level (GS-05) without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

This position is covered by a Special Salary Rate.

This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment.

Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

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 trial period.

Excepted Service - "The First year of continuous service in the same and similar position of a preference eligible in the excepted service is a trial period. The first 2 years of continuous service in the same or similar position of an individual in the excepted service (other than a preference), is a trial 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.

Must pass pre-employment evaluation.

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

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preferred Experience:

GS-03 Medical Support Assistant: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.

Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.

Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.

GS-04 Medical Support Assistant:

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: Two years of education above high school.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients.

Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.

Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.

Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

GS-05 Medical Support Assistant:

Experience:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level; OR, Education: Four years of education above high school.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to 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.

Advanced knowledge of medical terminology