Advanced Medical Support Assistant

The SLC VA Medical Center is recruiting for multiple Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) positions within various Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Medical and/or clinical setting experience required, along with knowledge of medical terminology and patient scheduling experience. The ASMA is responsible for the consult and scheduling management of clinics assigned across multiple facilities, and other duties as they relate to patient scheduling and administrative assignments.

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 or Education
  • Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office or other 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 (transcript is required with application); OR
  • Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.(transcript is required with application);
• 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-06: In order to be found qualified for this position, you must possess the following; Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Examples of experience at the next lower grade must include; Knowledge of medical terminology, scheduling appointments (including interpreting and verifying provider orders), canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; use of Microsoft Office, 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 facilities or hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage, and other related support work in a health care setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:

1. Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations
2. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational level.
3. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care.
4. Advanced knowledge of managing a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
5. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect the patient flow, patient care, and the revenue process.
6. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

GS-06 Advanced Medical Support Assistant Assignment: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant works collaboratively with staff at the Medical Center, Contract Vendors, Medical Center affiliates, Community Healthcare Providers, and any Third Party Administrator(s) to coordinate Veteran PACT/SHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care and Choice activities. This coordination involves mutli-disciplinary communication and coordination as a member of a cross-functional team. The Incumbent will coordinate and is responsible for all administrative duties associated with the Choice Program and PACT/BHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care Coordination, receives consults via the electronic medical record, coordinates and receives the necessary documentations to facilitate the processing of the consult, ensures that the Veteran receives the appropriate PACT/BHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care appointment and closes out the consult when completed. Provides patients correct instructions on test preparation, diets, and procedural requirements for varying procedures and specialty services specific to each community provider's standard of care which affects the efficiency, accuracy, and acceptability of patient care procedures, processes, and services in the community.
Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of Microsoft programs including, but not limited to PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel
• Experience scheduling patients in Clinical Video Telehealth; VA Video Connect and phone clinics
• Experience scheduling across multiple platforms (GUI, VistA, Telehealth Management Platform)

References: VA Handbook 5005/53; Part II, Appendix G45. MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0679-06.

Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required.

Responsibilities:

This is an "Open Continuous Announcement" that will be used for filling Advanced Medical Support Assistant positions for any of the various Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) associated with the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System until September 27, 2024.

Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available and may be referred more than once.

• The Advanced Medical Support Assistant provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.
• Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources.
• Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines.
• Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or the clinical team within the Specialty they are supporting, to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics and makes adjustments as necessary.
• Medical Support Assistants at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.).
• Other assignments at this level may include but are not limited to:
  • Processes incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealthEVet and coordinates with care team as appropriate
  • Participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage, plan, problem solve, and follow-up with patient care by sharing information and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team
  • Setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs;
  • Identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers; as needed; assists the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions
  • Enters appropriate information into the electronic record; monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure
  • Ensures correct and update insurance information is captured
  • Manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues
  • Evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment; informs team members about shared patients (i.e., those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community)

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.


Work Schedule: Full Time, Weekday Shifts
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Advanced Medical Support Assistant//, 50534A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required