Family Medicine Medical Assistant Job with Veterans Health Administration in Biloxi, MS

Join the South Central VA Health Care Network - Make a Difference in Veterans' Lives!

At the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System, we are dedicated to providing outstanding health care to our nation’s heroes. The VA Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System is committed to delivering top-tier healthcare services, training America’s future health care providers, and conducting impactful medical research. Our network includes:

• Biloxi VA Medical Center: Located in the heart of Biloxi, Mississippi, our medical center is a hub of comprehensive healthcare services.
• Community-Based Outpatient Clinics: Located in Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola and Panama City, Florida; and at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base, providing convenient access to care along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
  
  

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) performs work relating to the care & treatment given to patients on inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and scheduling call centers.

Key Responsibilities of the Medical Support Assistant (MSA):

• Patient Scheduling: Serve as the first point of contact for scheduling patient appointments and managing electronic medical records.
• Data Management: Efficiently handle computerized data entry and manage information processing systems related to patient care.
• Order & Consult Coordination: Track, review, and respond to electronic orders and consults, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
• Patient Information: Verify and update patient demographics and insurance information. Process all emergency and non-emergency transfers.
• Eligibility & Preauthorization: Perform basic eligibility checks, manage copays, and handle preauthorization requirements.
• Directive Compliance: Follow VHA Scheduling Directives and Standard Operating Procedures for accurate scheduling.
• Appointment Coordination: Utilize the Electronic Waiting List, Recall Reminder Software, and no-show rules to manage and schedule patient appointments efficiently.
• Communication: Proactively notify supervisors of scheduling issues and coordinate appointments to minimize patient wait times.
• Telephone Triage: Manage telephone triage by briefly questioning veterans to determine the urgency of medical problems and ensuring immediate attention for emergencies.
• Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service while adhering to VA policies and procedures.
  
  

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Role: Play a vital role in ensuring veterans receive timely and efficient healthcare services.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals.
• Professional Growth: Access opportunities for learning and career advancement within the VA healthcare system.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off.
  
  

If you are detail-oriented, possess strong organizational skills, and have a passion for serving veterans, apply today and become an integral part of our mission to provide exceptional healthcare to those who have served our nation.

Work Schedule: Work schedules may vary based on the location requested. Tour of duty is subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Grade Determinations:

GS-03: Entry Level

Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04: Developmental

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
  
  

OR

• Education. One year of education above high school.
• Assignment. This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs at this level receive minor and less frequent guidance from higher experienced staff members for more difficult tasks. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment; interviewing patients for appointments; referring patients to other medical specialty clinics; providing information to patients necessary to resolve VA Handbook complaints; interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with scheduling guidelines. MSAs at this level refer all questions regarding medical attention to the appropriate health care team member.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
  
  

GS-05: Full Performance

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
  
  

OR

• Education. Two years of education above high school.
• Assignment. This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates 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.).
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
• 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.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• 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.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.