Medical Support Assistant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Summary
The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant in the Mental and Behavioral Health Service Line at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) at the Minneapolis campus.
Qualifications
Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
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
Licensure/Certification/Registration: None
Physical 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).
GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) – You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above
GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) – Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Education: One year of education above high school; AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1. Ability to meet – communicate – and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner to facilitate medical care for patients 2. Ability to use – and navigate between – various types of office automation equipment and software (e.g. computer systems, web‑based scheduling programs, insurance collection system, scanning software, multiple‑line phone systems, electronic faxing programs) to support patient care 3. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients 4. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow‑up medical care in internal or external clinics
GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) – Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Education: Two years of education above high school; AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1. Ability to operate computerized programs and systems to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports 2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understanding medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients 3. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work 5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person – electronically – and/or by telephone with internal and external customers 6. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns – and refer to the appropriate staff as necessary – to ensure a satisfactory resolution
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov)
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Duties
The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information.
The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous Vista applications.
The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments—including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
Assignments include scheduling, canceling, and rescheduling patient appointments.
Entering no‑show information.
Preparing for clinic visits.
Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information.
Performing basic eligibility, co‑pay, and pre‑authorization requirements for specific coverage.
Plans and organizes work with general assistance from the supervisor to meet local and VA‑wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports, and special assignments, and refers only non‑routine and high‑technical problems to the supervisor.
Responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record.
Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information.
Performance is judged in terms of overall effectiveness of the operation through broad general objectives—the adequacy and accuracy of the work, timeliness, and conformance to established procedures, policies and instructions.
Provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
Handles conflict and problems relating to the customer in a constructive and appropriate manner.
Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients served and appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient.
The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based on age‑related factors.
Ensures staff receives training in these categories.
Employees have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data, which must be protected under the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
The employee is responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and for following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of access codes.
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered 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 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by the 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 #: 000000.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant in the Mental and Behavioral Health Service Line at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) at the Minneapolis campus.
Qualifications
Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
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
Licensure/Certification/Registration: None
Physical 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).
GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) – You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above
GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) – Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Education: One year of education above high school; AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1. Ability to meet – communicate – and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner to facilitate medical care for patients 2. Ability to use – and navigate between – various types of office automation equipment and software (e.g. computer systems, web‑based scheduling programs, insurance collection system, scanning software, multiple‑line phone systems, electronic faxing programs) to support patient care 3. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients 4. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow‑up medical care in internal or external clinics
GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) – Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Education: Two years of education above high school; AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1. Ability to operate computerized programs and systems to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports 2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understanding medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients 3. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work 5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person – electronically – and/or by telephone with internal and external customers 6. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns – and refer to the appropriate staff as necessary – to ensure a satisfactory resolution
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov)
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Duties
The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information.
The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous Vista applications.
The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments—including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
Assignments include scheduling, canceling, and rescheduling patient appointments.
Entering no‑show information.
Preparing for clinic visits.
Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information.
Performing basic eligibility, co‑pay, and pre‑authorization requirements for specific coverage.
Plans and organizes work with general assistance from the supervisor to meet local and VA‑wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports, and special assignments, and refers only non‑routine and high‑technical problems to the supervisor.
Responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record.
Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information.
Performance is judged in terms of overall effectiveness of the operation through broad general objectives—the adequacy and accuracy of the work, timeliness, and conformance to established procedures, policies and instructions.
Provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
Handles conflict and problems relating to the customer in a constructive and appropriate manner.
Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients served and appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient.
The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based on age‑related factors.
Ensures staff receives training in these categories.
Employees have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data, which must be protected under the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
The employee is responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and for following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of access codes.
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered 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 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by the 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 #: 000000.
#J-18808-Ljbffr