Lead Medical Support Assistant
What you'd do
The incumbent serves as Lead Medical Support Assistant providing health benefits processing support in the Eligibility and Enrollment Section with Central Texas VA Health Care System. The incumbent is primarily responsible for leading a staff of 13, under the supervision of the Supervisory MSA, in the intake and administrative processes for Veterans and beneficiaries applying for medical services at our Health Care System or to any of it's Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
Major duties
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Incumbent is a working Lead MSA that interviews and registers applicants to determine eligibility and legal entitlement of applicants for health care, including assignment into the appropriate enrollment priority group. Applications may be received in person, by mail, by internet, by fax, or by referral from another VA facility. Verifies eligibility using various methods, including: income assessments, military discharge documents, hospital inquiry (HINQ), benefits delivery network (BDN), Veteran information solutions (VIS), and other means such as communications with a VA Regional Office. Incumbent assists with gaining new employee access to various programs and applications so that new AMSAs can fully perform their job function. Incumbent is a working Lead MSA that administers income assessments (means test). Advises and counsels Veterans and their beneficiaries or representatives of financial obligations, co-pay requirements, and their rights to appeal. Deals with and resolves complex eligibility, co-pay, and insurance questions that arise. Displays adaptability in dealing with a wide range of individuals as necessary. Explains to each individual the specific conditions or actions that could affect their co-pay status or eligibility for benefits. Informs Veterans of their responsibility to report changes. Incumbent assists AMSAs using VHA regulations, standard operating procedures, and various information systems in making eligibility determinations that may be more intricate due to special factors that may be involved in the Veteran's service record. Incumbent captures specific types of eligibility such as OEF/OIF/OND, Combat, Veteran, etc. Information may be gathered by mail, fax, internet, and/or in person. The Lead MSA trains new AMSAs on performing these tasks and makes themselves available to assist AMSAs with questions and routine problems. Combat, Veteran, etc. Information may be gathered by mail, fax, internet, and/or in person. The Lead MSA trains new AMSAs on performing these tasks and makes themselves available to assist AMSAs with questions and routine problems. System (ES), Veteran Integrated Software Technology (VistA), and other related programs. The Lead MSA deals with a variety of benefits and/or obligations (i.e. medical benefits, co-pay requirements, medication benefits, dental benefits, special transportation, and travel benefits) and special registries (i.e. agent orange, Camp Lejeune, burn-pit, psychosis and other mental illnesses, etc.). Reviews particular circumstances of each individual (i.e. military history, marital status, financial situation, medical conditions, etc.) to apply the regulatory requirements that will best meet the Veteran's needs. Processes claims for hardship determinations, catastrophic disability, beneficiary travel deductible waivers, and appointment/inpatient stay copay waivers. This includes researching for information and informing persons of alternative options. The Lead MSA will often be assigned enrollment/registration cases that involve special circumstances that require a higher knowledge of VHA regulations and the many data elements that may be involved in a Veteran enrollment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00 pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: #50343 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. None. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-07: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work; ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; ensuring all training requirements are met; organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas; and acting as a liaison between MSA and staff to resolve day to day conflicts. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Ability to provide staff development and training. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics. Preferred Experience: 3+ years' experience with the VA as an MSA/AMSA and familiarity with scheduling. 2+years' experience with VA enrollment and healthcare eligibility benefits processing. Extensive customer service background. Phone etiquette. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
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