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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Support Assistant Near Sioux Falls, SD

Qualifications:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
b. Experience and Education.
(1) Experience. Six months experience of clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position
OR
(2) Education. One year above high school;
OR
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
c. Certification. None required.
d. Grandfathering Provision. All 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 occupation. For 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.
e. Foreign Education. To 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. programs.
f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
g. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

Grade Determination GS-3 MSA (Entry Level)
You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above. In addition you must be able to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.
2. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.
3. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.

Grade Determination GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level)
1. Experience: One year of experience in clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Examples of experience include but are not necessarily limited to: meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments; utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems; utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.
OR
2. Education: Two years above high school.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
1. Ability 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 patients.
2. Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. 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.

Grade Determination GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level)
1. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level. Examples of experience would include but not be limited 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 patients; use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs, insurance collection system, scanning software, multiple line phone systems, electronic faxing programs) to support patient care; knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients; skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.
OR
2. Education: Four years of education above high school.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
1. 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.
2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard.

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.

Responsibilities:

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary care delivery model and performs receptionist, customer service, and administrative duties for the proper and timely scheduling of community care.
• Demonstrating substantial skill in planning, organizing, problem solving, and decision-making.
• Providing administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans.
• Utilizing a variety of patient data systems and is responsible for performing scheduling functions including; appointment scheduling/rescheduling, and cancellations, providing both face to face and telephonic customer service, manual and electronic data entry, and management of the TPA portal and Health Share Referral Manager (HSRM).
• Receiving phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determines the nature of requests and provides the information desired using privacy rules and established CITC processes.
• Organizing paperwork required for the community appointment, schedules appointments, prepares medical documentation packet, creates authorization, uploads to HSRM, tracks. care and requests outside records to attach to consult resulting in consult completion
• Tracking notifications in multiple electronic portals to ensure continuity of care and authorization.
• Interpreting and communicating requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and policies.
• Scheduling appointments with the patient's input, either in person, over the phone, or through written communication.
• Demonstrating a high level of coordination to avoid patients having to make multiple trips to the medical center or clinic.
• Independently performing a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
• Coordinating efforts to ensure all aspects of duties are accomplished efficiently, timely, and correctly.

Work Schedule: Administrative Days
Telework: Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Recruitment Incentive: Available to qualified applicants.

**This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), and participation is available for highly qualified candidates. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.**

Job Summary