Medical Support Assistant

Summary The Medical Support Assistant in this position serves within the Surgical & Specialty Care ICC in the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. Qualifications Basic Requirements: CitizenshipBe 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 EducationCertificationNone requiredGrandfathering ProvisionAll MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series - and grade held - which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupationFor employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned - promoted - or changed to a lower grade within the occupation(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard(3) If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation Foreign EducationTo be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programsEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Physical RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirementsGRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) 1Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirementsGS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) 1Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower gradeOR 2Education: One year of education above high school(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above - candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1Ability to meet - communicate - and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients2Ability to use - and navigate between - various types of office automation equipment and software (i.ecomputer systems - web based scheduling programsinsurance collection systemscanning software - multiple line phone systemselectronic faxing programs) to support patient care3Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients4Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinicsGS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) 1Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower gradeOR 2Education: Two years of education above high school.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above - candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1Ability 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 reports2Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients3Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting4Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work5Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person - electronically - and/or by telephone - with internal and external customers6Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns - and refer to the appropriate staff as necessary - to ensure a satisfactory resolutionReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov) Preferred experience: Customer Service - Medical Knowledge and Terminology is preferred - Multi tasking and Prioritizing work load with posses strong Team workThe 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. Duties VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELoDuties include: Duties include: Answering phones Greeting patients Relaying messages to appropriate staff Scheduling - rescheduling and canceling medical appointments and consults Interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines Entering no-show information Monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources Participating in huddles with other MSAs and or clinic staff to determine daily needs of the clinic Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for their appointments Coordinate administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determine type based on the patient's eligibility status Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0800-1630 Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized