Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The Domiciliary Medical Support Assistant directs the operation of the Domiciliary living unit by providing direct Veteran care and administrative support to Domiciliary Veterans. Assures Veteran compliance with medical center and Domiciliary program policies and procedures and with health, safety, and sanitation as they pertain to living quarters, treatment areas, dayrooms, etc. The incumbent must utilize great flexibility and responsiveness in functioning in a variety of roles.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• 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: None.
• 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).
• 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: Medical Support Assistant - GS-05

In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the grade requirement:

• Experience or Education: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade OR two years of education above high school.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
  • Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Duties

• Independently processes and orients patients upon admission to assist with their adaptation to residential community living.
• File medical records and administrative documents.
• Schedule ancillary service appointments.
• Patient authorized absences are processed according to program procedures.
• Patient behaviors and incidents are documented appropriately.
• Independently completes the electronic "Incident Reporting" document in VISTA.
• Ordering and canceling of patient meals.
• Following age specific criteria, employee verbally interacts with others in a tone and at a speed that is understandable, clear, pleasant and respectful and adjusts voice/conversational level accordingly.
• Processes patient admissions/discharges/transfers, electronically enters diet orders, organizes medical chart assembly and removal of doctor's orders from the medical record, makes appointments, coordinates consults, and referrals.
• Observes the use of program facilities and furnishings for appropriate and scheduled usage.
• Performs patient dining room duties of food cart management, tray distribution and cleanup.
• Complete patient activity and bed census audio-taped summaries and reports.
• Program unit security measures are maintained as outlined in program management guides.
• Employee is able to verbalize appropriate problem solving methods and intervention techniques necessary for the diffusion of potentially volatile situations.
• Accurately initiate a "Missing, Incapacitated Resident/Patient Reaction" incident report.
• Completes proper procedures for conducting and recording daily positive and negative controls, per the Ancillary Testing Manual, prior to completing screening procedures.
• Proper technical and infection control practices, in accordance with the Ancillary Testing Manual criteria, for securing and maintaining the integrity of the urine specimen, performing screening procedures and preparing the necessary documents for submission of the specimen for confirmation testing.
• Screening results are properly recorded in the program logbook and entered into the VISTA lab menu.
• Clearly and concisely communicate both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate patience, tact, perseverance, and self-control in dealing with patients, families, and other medical center personnel.
• Capable of handling difficult patients in situations by employing intervention techniques.
• Patient records and program documents are responsibly managed and reasonable security provisions are maintained to minimize unauthorized access.
• Answer telephone calls appropriately.
• Assists co-workers as needed.
• Address customers respectfully while maintaining a manner of confidentiality.
• Expected to be knowledgeable of VA Central Office policy, JCAHO, CARF and OIG requirements as they related to the DRRTP.
• Utilize great flexibility and responsiveness in functioning in a variety of roles.
• Exercise a high degree of originality and resourcefulness in his/her guidance and assistance with directing treatment activities to the treatment teams within the DRRTP.
• Possess a well-rounded knowledge of the variety of therapeutic and rehabilitative services and experiences available and give particular attention to the individual background, strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of the physically or psychologically handicapped Veterans, and subsequently provide effective information to the treatment team in the selection of the best possible activities available to meet that individual's daily living and/or planned rehabilitation program needs.
• Consults with the DRRTP Chief on all significant programmatic and administrative issues, operations and problems.

Schedule

12:00am - 8:00am Rotating Schedule. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available. Telework: This position is not eligible for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.