Patient Services Assistant

The Patient Services Assistant (Admissions) position is located in the Patient Registration Department of Health Administration Services and reports directly to the Supervisor. This position is primarily located at the University Drive VA campus, but may be asked to work at any VA Pittsburgh location.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:

• Thorough knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, policies and procedures.
• Understanding of patient administration process, medical records and systems used.
• Possess understanding of physician orders and basic medical terminology.
• Ability to produce documents using computer spreadsheets and databases.
• Extensive knowledge of Veterans eligibilities for benefits.
• Strong oral and written communications.
• Interpersonal skills with people from varied backgrounds and situations.

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 3 years above high school .i.e. 6 months of specialized experience and 3 years of education above the high school level).To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Responsibilities:

The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to the section. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Creating Patient Treatment Files (PTF) in VISTA based off of correct physician orders which include admissions, transfers, provider changes and discharged patients,
• Tracking all inpatient movements from hospitalization through discharge, to include tracking physician orders for accuracy,
• Understanding of different admission statuses and treating specialties (acute, step down, ICU, Observation),
• Interpret Physician Orders and on call lists,
• Verify eligibility and insurance on all admissions and thoroughly complete all admissions paperwork,
• Communicate with all inpatient units, Utilization Review, Bed Management, coders and providers,
• Correcting all A/D/T identified by Coders and/or Utilization Management,
• Verify eligibility using various methods such as military discharge documents, Hospital Inquiry, (HINQ), Veterans Benefits Management System, (VBMS), Veterans Information Solutions, (VIS),
• Employs and demonstrates knowledge of medical and administrative records systems; of privacy act, FOIA, as they relate to patient information,
• Advise and counsels Veterans and their beneficiaries or representatives of financial obligations, co-pay requirements, and their rights to appeal,
• Maintain adherence with all medical center security policies and regulations ensuring work completed done within established guidelines.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Patient Services Assistant/ 646-02112-A
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; or driving an automobile, etc. Incumbent will be required to go to
inpatient units to meet with Veterans and review eligibility, income and insurance verification.