Advance Medical Support Assistant

Summary

Medical Support Assistants assigned to Patient Care Service/Clinical Support are responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties and is the liaison between the nursing staff in their assigned area and customers both internal and external to the medical center.
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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates
  
  10/19/2022 to 01/30/2023
  
• Salary
  
  $40,629 - $52,819 per year
  
• Pay scale & grade
  
  GS 6
  
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  Location
  
  Many vacancies in the following location:
  
  • 
    Indianapolis, IN
    
• Remote job
  
  No
  
• Telework eligible
  
  No
  
• Travel Required
  
  Not required
  
• Relocation expenses reimbursed
  
  No
  
• Appointment type
  
  Permanent -
  
• Work schedule
  
  Full-time -
  
• Service
  
  Excepted
  
• Promotion potential
  
  None
  
• Job family (Series)
  
  0679 Medical Support Assistance
  
• Supervisory status
  
  No
  
• Security clearance
  
  Not Required
  
• Drug test
  
  No
  
• Position sensitivity and risk
  
  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
  
• Trust determination process
  
  Suitability/Fitness
  
• Announcement number
  
  CBSR-11679275-23-AJO
  
• Control number
  
  684229400
  

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This job is open to

• 
  Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.
  
  
• 
  The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  
  

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Duties

Duties of the Medical Support Assistant are to include, but not limited to:
Providing excellent customer service; serves as the receptionist for the nursing station with the ability to determine the nature of calls and answering questions of visitors to the ward; respond
appropriately and assure that all messages are communicated in a timely manner; handles all patient information in accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act; accurately and timely processes patient information, admits, discharges, appointments and transfers in VistA ADT menus and CPRS according to established training, processes all discharges, transfers to other VA facilities or to private hospitals; verifies and completes text orders, notifying nursing staff of STAT and emergency orders; accurately maintains and reviews patient's electronic medical record according to set procedures; coordinates the release of information; arranges and coordinates in-patient appointments for timeliness and to avoid conflicts in patient treatment, scans appropriate documents into VistA Imaging per Medical Record policy; able to retrieve existing documents in Vista Imaging; enters patient information in BMS and ensures that the BMS board is accurate; maintains office supplies, printer and/or copy machine; communicates with housekeeping and nursing staff of beds and other areas of the ward/unit that need attention; completes work orders and contacts appropriate staff when requested for emergency repairs or special requests, inputs and extracts data of a highly technical nature: ensures productivity is maintained at the established level; is able to effectively perform MSA duties in the event of computer downtime according to contingency procedure protocol; acts as a member of the emergency team in cases of codes, disasters, fire or other emergencies by handling
phone calls, directing traffic, and functioning in whatever capacity is needed during the emergency.

The incumbent is trained and competent to cover all wards/units for staffing shortages to ensure the overall function of PCS/Clinical Support. Incumbent schedules, cancels, and reschedules patients' appointments and/or consults; prepares for clinic visits; monitors both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility.
Incumbent uses established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans; complies with
the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process. Uses the Veterans
Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) as well as the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to access information in the facility's computer system.

Work Schedule: 3:30pm-12am (midnight); rotating every other weekend and rotating holidays; (Various shifts may be available)
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position.
Functional Statement #:91280-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: 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 One year above high school; OR Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Certification: None.
• Grandfathering Provision: 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).
• Physical Requirements: Outlined below and in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-6 grade level, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of qualifying experience includes, but is not limited, to the following: answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with scheduling guidelines; re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; and, verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments.

In addition to this experience, you must also demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met.
• Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person], and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns.
• Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care.
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

Preferred Experience: Not applicable

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-6 grade level.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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: [ Link removed ] - Click here to apply to Advance Medical Support Assistant 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: [ Link removed ] - Click here to apply to Advance Medical Support Assistant

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
  
  

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, rsum, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

• Help
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
  
  
• 
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  • Resume
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • OF-306
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
  Although Hybrid Title 38 occupations follow Title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. A, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages. This announcement occupation(s) is reported to be among the largest staffing shortages. Veterans preference does not apply to this job announcement per the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (PL 113-146, dated August 7, 2014) Therefore, Veteran's Preference will not be applied to this posting's applicant scores and selection process.
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
  
  

Salary : $40,629 - $52,819