Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)
What you'd do
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) position serves as an integrated part of the Patient - Aligned Care Team (PACT) within the Business Office. The AMSA works collaboratively with other members of PACT team let (Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, providers etc.) as well as VA PACT team, specialty care providers, social workers, etc. and community care providers to provide a robust interdisciplinary approach to care.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Advanced Community Care MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments. The primary duties of the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) may include but are not limited to: Develops/maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. Assists with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge. Communicates with non-VA medical facilities. Facilitates/processes secure messaging with the patient and team. Notifies patients of normal lab results. Develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc. Participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care. Sets priorities and deadlines Adjusts the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Works with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering 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. Participates and provides input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings. Performs administrative follow up actions. Participates in and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care. 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 bringing to the attention of the provider. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, subject to change based on Agency needs. 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). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00129-F 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: No experience required. Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or higher If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official college transcript with your application. If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision: Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official) Licensure/Certification/Registration: None. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in the resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-06: Experience. One year of credible experience equivalent to the next lower grade. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below in their resume: i. 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.] ii. [Ability to independently] set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. iii. 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]. iv. 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. v. 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. vi. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. 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-06. Preferred Experience In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following criteria are preferred: Experience working within a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or interdisciplinary care team model, including participation in team huddles and team meetings to plan and manage patient care in coordination with providers, nurse care managers, and clinical associates. Demonstrated experience coordinating patient care communications across multiple points of contact, such as facilitating secure messaging, communicating with non-VA medical facilities, and managing inpatient-to-outpatient discharge coordination. Experience developing and maintaining tracking systems for follow-up care (e.g., consults, diagnostic tests, pre-appointment requirements) to ensure continuity of care and patient readiness for visits or procedures. Experience using electronic health record (EHR) systems to manage clinic operations, including monitoring wait lists, validating scheduling accuracy, and reviewing clinic utilization reports to support team and patient needs. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
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