Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary The AMSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e. patient aligned care team - or other specialty care setting where the patient aligned care team model is used such as oncology - HIV - SCI - Military Sexual Trauma - etc.). The AMSA coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic utilization by using various reports to ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic and make any necessary adjustments. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f)EducationHigh school diploma - General Education Development equivalency certificate - or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of EducationLicensure/Certification/RegistrationNoneMay 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: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) - GS-06(1) ExperienceOne year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower gradeExamples of creditable experience include but are not limited to: answering phones - greeting patients - relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unitscheduling - canceling - re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consultsentering no-show informationparticipating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic - monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibilityverifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointmentsCoordinating administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e. - TRICARE - sharing agreements - collaterals - research patient - VA employee - etc.)AND - (2) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) 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(b) 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(c) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians(d) 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(e) Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines - ensuring compliance with established processes - policies - and regulations(f) Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively - electronically - by phone - in person - and in writing - with internal and external customersThis may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels - as well as resolving patient concernsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautionsthe area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilatedHowever - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties of the position include - but are not limited to: The AMSA is responsible for scheduling appointments - including interpreting - and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelinesAssignments at this level - include - but are not limited to: scheduling - canceling - rescheduling patient appointments and/or consultsentering no-show informationpreparing for clinic visitsmonitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibilityensuring action required encounters are printed to providers twice daily in order to obtain appropriate workload creditverifying and updating demographics and insurance informationprocessing all emergency and nonemergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitalsperforming basic eligibility - co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverageAccepts and supports the guiding principles of this healthcare systemPerforms assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the VeteranActively supports the team concept and functions as a team playerContributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the primary care teams and/or specialty clinicsResponsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative duties in support of patient care in one or more of the outpatient Specialty Clinics - Primary Care Clinics or the inpatient wardsExpected to provide administrative coordination of patient care and to advise the professional staff on administrative and logistical factors associated with direct patient careActs in the capacity of liaison between patients - team members as well as specialty and ancillary servicesProvides information and technical support on the availability of services - points of contact and necessary authorizations and approvalsServes as the communication coordinator for the teamAssures that all visitors and telephone calls are referred in a prompt and courteous mannerAscertains the nature of the call or the business of the visitor and determine the appropriate actionIncumbent will assist with requests for information from patients and/or staff members but when the situation cannot be resolved - refers the individual to the appropriate person or serviceRelays messages to team members when appropriateIncumbent has thorough knowledge of various VA directives and hospital policies pertinent to patient careAnalyzes situations to determine what decisions can be made or if advice of a higher authority is needed - especially for problems that may involve public relationsKeeps team members informed and up to date concerning appropriate established regulationsRegulations concern eligibility for care - availability of and requesting special tests and proceduresMust analyze - interpret and implement regulations accurately to reflect current operating procedures and is familiar with procedures concerning changes in regulations or policiesWork Schedule: Multiple shiftsSubject to change based on the needs of the facilityRecruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 586-00556-FPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.