Advanced Medical Support Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Omaha, NE · 2 days ago

Healthcare$144/hrFull-time

About the role

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is under the direct supervision of the Assistant Chief - VA Care in the Community (VACC) and is responsible for administratively supporting the VACC Program. The AMSA will perform work in conformance with all directives, guidelines, local policies and procedures. They will provide technical information and assistance concerning entitlement to medical benefits, as well as information related to policies and procedures of the various service programs.

Duties

Follows both oral and written instructions and/or directives as given by the management
Requests updated Veteran information by telephone and written correspondence as needed
Assist in training new employees
Conduct reviews and reports as assigned in relation to Community Care activities
Provide technical information and assistance concerning entitlement to CITC medical benefits, as well as information related to policies and procedures
Maintain all tracking logs as required
Input data in individual tracking logs, VA systems and third-party payor systems accurately
Collaborates with the external and internal vendor's and employees to facilitate prompt Veteran care
Schedules appointment information into the scheduling system
Follow procedures to obtain medical records and documentation as outlines per VA policy
Clear copier of faxed medical records/documents daily
Verify services performed, matches the services authorized, and scan the records through computerized medical systems
Scan a minimum number of medical records weekly
Maintains appropriate spreadsheets and reports for tracking and productivity purposes to meet performance measures
Annotate in medical data systems to show proper follow-up on consults that can't meet all directives, guidelines, local policies and procedures
Utilize correct correspondence, including various forms, letters, and reports
Review accuracy of all authorizations, consult information, and scanned medical records
Demonstrate thorough knowledge and proficiency in the use of assigned computer programs
Coordinate with medical providers on behalf of Veterans and obtains medical data
Coordinate with clinical staff for approval/disapproval of non-VA outpatient medical care
Respond to email and phone messages on a direct line and a customer service line
Participate in team huddles and team meetings designed to help manage consults
Independently follow up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the team to ensure Veterans receive timely care

Requirements

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance to 38 U.S.C.7407(a).

Experience and Education: Experience: None. OR 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.

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f).

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Grade Determinations

GS-5 Grade: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level that equips the candidate with the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports
Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting
Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers
Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution

GS-6 Grade: Candidates must be able to also demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills and abilities below (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. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the 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. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting.

Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship for the full-time workweek. For example, an MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.

Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Pay & benefits

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).
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): MAY BE authorized to highly qualified candidates.
Student Repayment Program: This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), and participation is available for highly qualified candidates. Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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).

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.