Lead Medical Support Assistant

Lead Medical Support Assistant

The incumbent serves as a Lead Medical Support Assistant in an outpatient clinic setting. Duty location will be at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Fredericksburg VA. The incumbent performs duties related to receipt, intake and compiling of health and administrative information. The incumbent will interface with several personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous VHA applications (such as Microsoft programs, VISTa, Electronic Health Record, and scheduling systems).

Responsibilities include:

• Using scheduling software in accordance with VHA directives and established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans.
• Advising clinical staff on current administrative processes.
• Answering phones, greeting patients, checking patients in for appointments, relaying messages to appropriate staff, scheduling appointments, and interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
• Using approved Electronic Health Record (EHR) in conjunction with approved scheduling software to view, process and schedule orders, Radiology Orders and referrals.
• Providing specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.
• Recommending changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines.
• Coordinating with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability and utilization to ensure that schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 pm.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.

Telework: Not Authorized.

Functional Statement #: N/A.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements:

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).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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.

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. 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. 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:

Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-7 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.

Assignment. The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.

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

• 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.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary; however, the incumbent will have episodes of standing, twisting, bending, sitting, and carrying of supplies in support of the clinical areas assigned.

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.

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.

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.