Medical Support Assistant (advanced)

SummaryThese positions fall under various healthcare service lines within the Medical Centers/clinics and are full-time at 40 hours per week. Most shifts are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Medical Support Assistants may work tours other than their regular scheduled tour, including working evenings, nights, weekends/holidays to cover shortages or high patient volume. Shift changes will be considered based on patient and facility needs. Learn more about this agency ResponsibilitiesTHIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on 09/30/2021. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 15, 2021 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. Please see the 'What To Expect Next' area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement.Assignment for Outpatient Care: Schedules appointments, updates patient demographics as well as insurance information. The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other specialty care setting where the patient aligned care team model is used such as oncology, HIV, Spinal Cord Injury, Military Sexual Trauma, etc.). The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensures that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and makes any necessary adjustments. He/She develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc. May work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and enter 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; evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested; educates providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and brings to the attention of the provider.Assignment for Inpatient Care: Cross-trained in a variety of complex processes and procedures to include the scheduling and consult system as well as the Bed Management System. Updates daily Ward Rosters to include provider and Attending Physician designations, pager numbers, room/bed, treating specialty. Updates patient demographics as well as the special care flow sheet. Reviews clinic appointment list and assists and coordinate the rescheduling of appointments when it conflicts with inpatient hospital stay. Makes up charts and labels for new admissions.Note:You must select which campuses you are willing to be considered for with VA White River Junction Healthcare System. After the close of this announcement, you will be unable to change your location preference. Please ensure your selections reflect all campuses in which you are willing to work.Applicants may be referred for consideration prior to the close date of this announcement.There may not be a vacancy at a listed location. Applicants for those locations will be added to our applicant pool if one should occur.Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, day shift hours To Be DeterminedCompressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not AuthorizedTelework AdHoc: May be authorized at managements discretion. Telework Ad-Hoc work can be performed on an as needed basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space (example: home).Virtual/Remote Work: Not AuthorizedRelocation or Travel Incentives: Not AuthorizedRecruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not RequiredNotifications:These positions are AFGE Bargaining Unit positions.These positions are covered by locality-based comparability pay.Selectee may be required to work at any White River Junction Healthcare System campus, as needed.The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOCs.Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.This position is in the Excepted Service.Incomplete applications will not be considered.Travel Required Not requiredSupervisory status No Promotion Potential None Job family (Series) 0679 Medical Support Assistance Help 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to a background/security investigation. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process and complete additional forms to proceed with employment process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.Education or Experience: One year above high school; OR 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 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: Medical Support Assistants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.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).Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements for the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.(3) If an employee was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-6: Above the full performance levelExperience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service (GS-5). Experience includes: Clinic experience in a hospital or doctor's office setting to include scheduling a high volume of appointments annually. High level customer service skills as evidenced by daily interaction and communication with clinicians, patients, families and coworkers. Evidence of work in a clinic setting with multiple inputs (in person, telephone, instant message communications) that need timely and professional resolution. Evidence of specific computer scheduling programs or software utilized in a clinic or hospital.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.References: VA Handbook 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679, dated August 1, 2019. . This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as papers, books, manuals, record boxes and boxes of computer paper. Computers are used and therefore keyboarding is required. The work includes walking from area to area when covering for other employees. Applicant may at times be exposed to stressful situations with Veterans. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Additional information This announcement has been extended from 7/31/21 until 9/30/21. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.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.Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.Read more How You Will Be EvaluatedYou 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.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. Read more Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance Other Drug test required No Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness Help Required DocumentsTo apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:ResumeResume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information each job listed:Job titleDuties (be as detailed as possible)Month & year/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)Full-time or part-time (include hours worked per week)Please be aware that your answers well be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.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 LetterDD-214/ Statement of ServiceDisability Letter (Schedule A)Disability Letter (VA)Other (1)Other (2)Other (3)ResumeSeparation Notice (RIF)SF-15SF-50/ Notification of Personnel ActionVA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: ' 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 Help BenefitsA 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.