The Medical Support Assistants assigned to Nursing Services are responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties and is the liaison between the nursing staff in their assigned area and customers both internal and external to the medical center.

Duties

Duties included but are not limited to: Serves as the receptionist for the nursing station with the ability to determine the nature of calls and answering questions of visitors to the ward; respond appropriately and assure that all messages are communicated in a timely manner; handles all patient information in accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act; updates patient demographic, next of kin, emergency contacts utilizing pre-registration in VistA; accurately and timely processes patient information, admits, discharges, appointments and transfers in VistA ADT menus and CPRS according to established training; processes all discharges, transfers to other VA facilities or to private hospitals; verifies and completes text orders, notifying nursing staff of STAT and emergency orders; accurately maintains and reviews patient's electronic medical record according to set procedures; coordinates the release of information; arranges and coordinates in-patient appointments for timeliness and to avoid conflicts in patient treatment; able to retrieve existing documents in Vista Imaging; enters patient information in BMS and ensures that the BMS board is accurate; assists with the orientation/on the job training of new staff; maintains office supplies, printer and/or copy machine; communicates with housekeeping and nursing staff of beds and other areas of the ward/unit that need attention; completes work orders and contacts appropriate staff when requested for emergency repairs or special requests; inputs and extracts data of a highly technical nature; is able to effectively perform MSA duties in the event of computer downtime according to contingency procedure protocol; acts as a member of the emergency team in cases of codes, disasters, fire or other emergencies by handling phone calls, directing traffic, and functioning in whatever capacity is needed during the emergency. Scans release of information and legal documents as necessary. The incumbent schedules, cancels and reschedules patients' discharge appointments. Incumbent uses established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans; Schedule through scheduler coordination to ensure appointments for Veterans. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) as well as the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to access information in the facility's computer system. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a Bargaining Unit Position.

Requirements

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 and Education. 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 Education. One year above high school OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None required. 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. 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. 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: Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level . Experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level includes, but is 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 complaints; interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.); obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. MSAs at this level refer all questions regarding medical attention to the appropriate health care team member. OR Education. Four years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. 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. ii. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. iii. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. v. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.vi. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Experience: 1 year clinical experience Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well with all levels of hospital staff. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and basic computer skills Detail oriented, organizational skills, and the ability to critically think. Highly motivated, exceptional customer service skills, self motivated, and the ability to work independently. Ability to answer phones, direct calls to the appropriate person, and manage files. References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679 Veterans Health Administration August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]