Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)
What you'd do
The purpose of this position is to serve as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) assigned to Mental Health & Behavioral Medicine clinics. The AMSA position is a fundamental role within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position provides expert administrative support tailored to patients, working within an interdisciplinary coordinated care framework.
Major duties
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) provides expert administrative support tailored to patients, working within an interdisciplinary coordinated care framework. This role demands a high level of administrative judgment and adaptability in navigating various clinical flow processes necessary for accessing care across multiple clinics, specialties, and community resources. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Proposing updates to existing clinic procedures to ensure alignment with current administrative guidelines. Serving as the first line of contact with the Veteran and must be knowledgeable on a wide variety of subjects regarding the VA. Running the Encounter Action Required Report (EARR) and providing findings to providers to facilitate accurate workload credit and revenue collection. Receiving and routing all Veterans who report to the facilities for scheduled and unscheduled examinations and appointments. Processing first party requests and ensuring forms are complete and accurate. Ensuring non-VA records are forwarded to the appropriate provider for review and forward to the appropriate agency prior to inclusion into the patient's medical record. Scanning and indexing materials accordingly into electronic medical records, on a timely basis and within established guidelines, and makes the proper disposition of documents. Demonstrating a high degree of customer service i.e.; tact, poise, and diplomacy must be used in dealing with Veterans who may have multiple health problems and may be frustrated with the diagnostic process. Capturing insurance and demographic information on all Veterans, explaining VA's role in insurance reimbursement. Accurately entering insurance information into the buffer and scanning both sides of the insurance card. Supporting patient safety standards through correct identification of all patients through use of two forms of identification, in accordance with current VA policies. Receiving telephone calls and visitors to the VA, (i.e., patients, families, and friends of patients) regarding such things as the availability of, and procedures for obtaining medical assistance, directions and information for contacting various departments, services and requests for changes in scheduled appointments. Running the following reports/queries daily (not all-inclusive): Opening Text Orders, Patient Care Encounter (PCE), Recall Reminder Delinquent Report, Recall Reminder Non-Compliant Report, and Consult Tracking Report. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 8:30am - 5:00pm, or 9:00am - 5:30pm 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). 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55656-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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. 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, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. GS-06 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. 8 This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns. Preferred Experience: Six months or more of creditable experience using electronic health record systems. One year of administrative experience in a health care setting. Knowledge of HIPAA, release of information, and other applicable laws and regulations. Possess a high degree of customer service, poise, and diplomacy. Possess caring and compassionate behavior and be observant when interacting with Veterans, family members, and employees or peers. Must be respectful and have knowledge of a High Reliability Organization and be able to demonstrate this experience. Skilled in working independently, accomplishing a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. Skilled in medical terminology 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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