The Lead Medical Support Assistant monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, and maintains efficient workflow. Assignments at this level may include: assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews; ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of Community Care consults; providing guidance to staff members; distributing and balancing workload; and acting as liaison between AMSAs and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts.

Duties

The incumbent is responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative and technical duties in support of the Community Care Coordination Center. This person provides administrative coordination of patient care and appointments and logistical factors associated with direct patient care, inpatient and outpatient, related to the coordination of care between the VAMC and outside facilities, both VA and Community. Incumbent uses a broad working knowledge of all medical center programs and services and of the varying priorities and complexities of outside care for specialty services. The complexity of duties may encompass numerous clerical responsibilities, but not limited to, typing, filing, data entry, scheduling appointments and tests, ensuring transfer of medical records from and to the VAMC and other facilities, ordering office supplies and necessary forms, scheduling patients' appointments and/or consults, tracking patients' appointment status in the community and maintaining spreadsheets to validate data tracking, making follow-up (post-care) calls on a daily basis, completing electronic forms for cost estimate/payment of community medical care by the VA; consistently verifying demographics and insurance information; researching and maintaining an updated data base of community medical services to assist Veterans with locating medical care in the community; assisting with processing all emergent and non- emergent consults for medical care in the community. Other assignments include: contributing in team huddles and team meetings to managing and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines; adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; may work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self- help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record; monitoring pre- appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g. X-ray, lab work); participating and providing input in problem-solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings; performing administrative follow-up actions; independently follow-up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. Based on high level supportive coordination skills the incumbent performs daily duties that are integral to the success of the facility's multidisciplinary medical team establishing this incumbent as a key contact for Veterans, Veterans' families, and community providers for specialty care, providing information and assistance and acting upon multifaceted administrative matters in the Veterans' and the VAMC's interest. The incumbent is directly accountable, and has the knowledge, skills, and ability to serve as an autonomous extension, to the Supervisor of the Community Care service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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 (1) Experience. Six months experience of clerical, office or other 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. 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).Preferred Experience: None.Grade Determinations:Experience. In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must have One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 (AMSA) grade level such as: Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person], and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care [administrative functions] to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Lead MSA Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. Ability to provide staff development and training. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G-45The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Typically, the Lead Medical Support Assistant must be able to operate a computer terminal and be able to manage multiple activities at one time. The LEAD MSA monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. Work is generally sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items. Work Environment: The work may be stressful due to the accelerated pace for several hours at a time during peak clinic hours or on days that have a large volume of clinic activity.

Education

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

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Mark Condra
• Phone: 615-873-7745
• Email: [email protected]