Lead Medical Support Assistant

This Lead Medical Support Assistant (LMSA) position is in the Health Administration Service of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic in Tomball, TX.

**See IMPORTANT NOTES in the Additional Information section for THREE (3) clarification items to include all locations we are currently hiring. **

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 Policy.
• 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 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).

May 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:

To qualify for the GS-07 level, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.

Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-07

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level which includes:

• Collaborating with medical clinicians across multiple disciplines, scheduling interdisciplinary appointments, and possessing an advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community. Providing staff development and training, delegating responsibilities/assigning workload to other staff members, following up on issues, and reviewing and monitoring data to ensure reports are complete and accurate.

(b) Assignment. The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, you must demonstrate ALL the following KSAs in your resume:

1. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.

2. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.

3. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.

4. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.

5. Ability to provide staff development and training.

6. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 year experience working in a clinical environment coordinating clinic schedules for providers (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists/psychiatrists).
• 1 year experience scheduling patients in a medical appointment software in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.
• 1 year experience with medical terminology in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.
• 1 year experience managing patient communications in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (e.g. telephone and/or e-mail).
• 1 year experience with documenting appropriate information into an electronic medical record.
• Knowledge of Microsoft

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Lead Medical Support Assistant(s) for the Clinical Operations, Ambulatory Care and Processing Section are responsible for leadership of the Advanced Medical Support Assistants and the Medical Support Assistants. The Lead Medical Support Assistant (MSA) provides comprehensive, detailed, on-the-job training to all new personnel as well as refresher training in the unit. Acts as contact person between the Health Administration Service, Supervisory Medical Support Assistant and VA staff. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to:

• Keeps supervisor advised regarding performance of MSAs.
• Responsible for coordination of administrative functions associated with the care and treatment of patients in the outpatient clinics.
• Evaluates personnel and work areas to establish adequate coverage.
• Monitors and typically schedules, cancels, and reschedules patients' appointments and/or consults
• Enters no-show information; monitors the electronic wait list; prepares for clinic visits
• Monitors appointments for areas of responsibility
• Ensures that encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit
• Verifies and updates demographics and insurance information
• Processes all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or to private hospitals
• Refers any questions concerning eligibility or beneficiary travel to the appropriate sections

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or 9:30 am - 6:00 pm (subject to change based on facility need)
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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 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)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 580-00024F

Salary : $417