Advanced Medical Support Assistant

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA) for the P&LMS, providing specialized and expert administrative support to the Service. The work is performed independently under the guidance ofthe P&LMS leadership and supervisors. The incumbent will operate computerized programs in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information into or from electronic records, timekeeping systems, personnel records and compliance records.

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. (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 Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• 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.
• 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: GS-06

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
• 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: experience in support for the Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, experience in collection of data and entering into appropriate format for review and receiving data from outside facilities to include Pathology consultations, and entering data into VISTA imaging for CPRS retrieval.
References: VA Handbook 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45 published August 1, 2019

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.

Responsibilities:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:
Serves as the initial point of contact at the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS)
Mather California, Radiosethlogy Service Incumbent is responsible for scheduling patient appointments,
tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the
electronic medical record and medical systems. And requires a practical knowledge of computerized
data entry, information processing systems and software related to patient care, the healthcare
system's organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient
treatment, knowledge of standard procedures, utilizing medical records, and medical terminology.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant recommends changes to existing 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. Advanced 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., communicate with non-VA medical facilities).
Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: 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; enters
appropriate information into the electronic record; manages patient systems to verify and validate
accuracy and resolve issues; evaluates patient information 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).
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant plans and accomplishes work independently using
guidelines she/he has been trained to follow, referring only the unusual, difficult or complex cases to
the supervisor. The supervisor reviews and monitors job performance periodically to assure that
intent and mission of the program is accomplished, and guidelines are followed. The incumbent also
receives program direction and guidance from the team's leadership, i.e., Supervisory Program
Specialist, Assistant Chief/ Business Manager and Service Chief.


Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Exact work schedule will be discussed during the interview process.
Telework: Not eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:612 03056-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required