MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT (ADV

The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA), in Radiology Service at the VHASLC Medical Center. The AMSA is a chief source of information and scheduling complex and specialized modalities of Radiology Service to ensure patients are accurately set up for procedures and coordinates all requirements (equipment, labs, anesthesia, AMU beds, hydration, etc.) for that procedure with other services, physicians, and vendors.

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

a. 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).
b. Experience. None.
c. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
d. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None.
e. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. (1) 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.
2. (2) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

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:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-06: In order to be found qualified for this position, you must possess the following: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Examples of experience at the next lower grade must include; Knowledge of medical terminology, scheduling appointments (including interpreting and verifying provider orders), canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; use of Microsoft Office, entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other facilities or hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage, and other related support work in a health care setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:

1. Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations
2. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational level.
3. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care.
4. Advanced knowledge of managing a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
5. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect the patient flow, patient care, and the revenue process.
6. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

GS-06 Advanced Medical Support Assistant Assignment: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant works collaboratively with staff at the Medical Center, Contract Vendors, Medical Center affiliates, Community Healthcare Providers, and any Third Party Administrator(s) to coordinate Veteran PACT/SHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care and Choice activities. This coordination involves multi-disciplinary communication and coordination as a member of a cross-functional team. The Incumbent will coordinate and is responsible for all administrative duties associated with the Choice Program and PACT/BHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care Coordination, receives consults via the electronic medical record, coordinates and receives the necessary documentations to facilitate the processing of the consult, ensures that the Veteran receives the appropriate PACT/BHIP/Specialty Care/Community Care appointment and closes out the consult when completed. Provides patients correct instructions on test preparation, diets, and procedural requirements for varying procedures and specialty services specific to each community provider's standard of care which affects the efficiency, accuracy, and acceptability of patient care procedures, processes, and services in the community .

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of Microsoft programs including, but not limited to PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel
• Experience scheduling patients in Clinical Video Telehealth; VA Video Connect and phone clinics
• Experience scheduling across multiple platforms (GUI, VistA, Telehealth Management Platform)

References: VA Handbook 5005/53; Part II, Appendix G45. MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated August 1, 2019.For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0679-06.

Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The AMSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other specialty care setting where the patient aligned care team model is used such as oncology, HIV, SCI, Military Sexual Trauma, etc.). The Advanced MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments.

• Develop/maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge;
• Receive and triages orders, schedules initial and follow-up appointments, and tracks orders for serviced disciplines. Coordinates the transfer of patients between wards and clinics as necessary. Coordinates appointments for patients with other medical services, including emergency add-ons and same day appointments.
• Ensures all necessary medical data (x-ray and lab reports, admit orders, etc.) is available to clinicians prior to patients' arrival and assists with keeping program staff appraised of patient census and any changes/problems that might be encountered.
• Responsible to keep the supervisor abreast of any unusual circumstances or issues that may arise when scheduling patients. If there are any obstacles with the routine process of scheduling, the AMSA is responsible to notify supervisor
• Uses computers to perform a wide variety of record keeping, correspondence, and tracking operations to include: inputting, deleting, retrieving, manipulating, and correcting information in databases or automated records, Performs a wide variety of record keeping, reporting and informational duties in support of organizational programs, projects, studies, etc.
• Keeps time and attendance records, orders and keeps records of supplies, assists with tracking budgetary items, and receives and distributes mail to the medical staff and patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 04:30
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 0800-1630
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 56047-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $59,063