Advanced Medical Support Assistant

A Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be approved for highly qualified applicants.

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) has vacancies in multiple locations at various specialty clinics. AMSAs provide specialized and expert administrative patient support in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.

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.
• Experience and Education: (1) 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 (2) Education - One year above high school; or (3) 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.

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: Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-6 In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements outlined above, candidates must possess the required specialized experience and be able to demonstrate all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) as summarized below.

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling [patient] appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring [appointment requests from multiple] electronic [sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic], monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments [in] areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when [patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates administrative functions relating to] emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals [and determines appointment type based on the patient's] eligibility [status] (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, [collaterals, research patient, VA employee], etc.).

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below:
  • i. 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.]
  • ii. [Ability to independently] set priorities and organize [ ] work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
  • iii. 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].
  • iv. 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.
  • [v.] 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.
  • [vi.] Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45

Physical Requirements: The work performed is predominately clerical in nature and requires no special physical standards. The work is usually performed in an office setting, working with others and/or alone. As typical in an office setting, there is the possibility for multiple distractions from normal operating functions and the incumbent is expected to be able to physically perform the duties of the position, aides permitted (which may include walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending.) The work may also include the need for light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) of work materials (i.e.: books, binders, papers, etc.).

Responsibilities:

This is an open-continuous announcement closing Monday, September 30, 2024. This announcement will remain open until filled and may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred twice monthly or as vacancies become available. This announcement may close without advanced notice.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This announcement will remain open until filled and may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred twice monthly or as vacancies become available. This announcement may close without advanced notice.

AMSAs provide administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans. Our mission is to provide efficient and effective healthcare services by promoting and enabling the delivery of timely, accurate, accessible health care. The VA is committed to cultivating a dedicated workforce of highly skilled employees who understand, believe in and take pride in VA's mission. AMSAs are essential to the success of this mission and may be assigned to many areas of the medical center including but not limited to any of the following areas: The Business Office, Community Care Service, Call Center, Health Administrative Services

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports.
• Ensures that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and makes any necessary adjustments.
• Develops/maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies.
• Facilitates/processes secure messaging with the patient and team; notifies patients of normal lab results.
• Develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc..
• Participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care.
• Sets priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs.
• May work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record.
• Monitors pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work).
• Manages electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues.

Work Schedule: Various shifts and hours
Telework: May be eligible at the discretion of management.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required