Advanced Medical Support Assistant
*****Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking highly energetic candidates*****
***This position has a $1,000 sign on or relocation bonus!***
This vacancy announcement is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event, which will be on an invite only basis once the position qualifications have been met.
This job will close when we have received 100 qualified applications which may be sooner than the closing date.
This vacancy is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event, which will be on an invite only basis once the position qualifications have been met. If you receive an invitation, you will be required to attend in person on:
- Date: 10/21/2023
- Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Location of Hiring Event: Northern Arizona VA Health Care System - (Address and map of hiring fair location will be provided to candidates who have met minimum qualifications for invitation)
You will be notified of your qualifications and if determined to be minimally qualified, you will receive an invitation for interview and MUST RSVP. Applicants should plan for a long day if selected, as there are several pre-employment stations to clear.
Requirements for Pre-Employment Screening:
Fingerprints (Two forms of ID required)
Security background
Immunizations (Immunization records preferred)
______________________________________________________________________________
Typical duties include but are not limited to:
- Scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults
- Entering no-show information
- Monitoring electronic wait lists
- Preparing for clinic visits
- Establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records
- Monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility
- Obtaining medical information from patients
- Coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services
- Ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit
- Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information
- Processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals
- Other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Multiple Schedule Options, may include nights and weekends. (Subject to change based upon needs of the Agency)
Telework: Not Eligible.
Virtual: This is NOT a Virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: This position has been approved for a $1,000 incentive.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.
HelpRequirements
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.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
- Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
- English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.
- Experience: Six (6) 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;
- Education: One (1) year above high school, OR;
- Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (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 REQUIREMENTS:
Creditable Experience: Must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities [or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting].GS-6 Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates for Advanced Medical Support Assistant GS-6:a. Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. The specialized experience for this position includes the following, but not limited to:
- Specialized Experience - In an advanced or complex clinical setting utilizing numerous advanced patient care systems, scheduling appointments across multiple clinics and coordination of services among a diverse team of medical providers and clinics to include outside agencies, advanced knowledge of medical terminology, advanced knowledge of the technical health care processes, policy and procedures as it relates to coordination of care.
- IMPORTANT: Education CANNOT be substituted for the one year of specialized experience that is required.
b. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. (Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below):
- 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.
c. Assignment. The Advanced MSA [provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working] collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model [ ]. [Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates] with the patient care team to review clinic [appointment availability] (utilization) [ ] to ensure that clinic [schedules are] closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and [makes adjustments as necessary]. [MSAs at this level] develop [and/or] maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary [coordinated care delivery model teams] , VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; [prepare correspondence] to notify patients of normal lab results; [ ] manage a [ ] system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.).The
Full Performance Level of this Vacancy is GS-6.
References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.
Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary in nature with some walking, standing and bending. Occasionally requires moderate physical activity, e.g., carrying light items such as books and papers or lifting stacks of boxes or records. Work is typically performed in an office setting; adequately lighted, quiet, and controlled atmosphere. Follows prescribed safety procedures; uses appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving heavy objects; reports observed potential safety hazards to appropriate personnel; removes or corrects safety hazards when possible; utilizes appropriate sanitary or aseptic techniques, when applicable.
Education
IMPORTANT: There is NO EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION at the GS- 06 level. Must have the Specialized Experience.