Spokane VA Medical Center is looking to fill Medical Support Assistants at the GS 3/4/5 level at the main campus location. Duties may be performed in Care in the Community, Specialty clinics, Health Administration Service line or other areas of need. The first cut-off for sending qualified applicants over for review will be on 8/21/23. Any applicants beyond this date will be sent on an as needed basis. The list generated from this announcement can be used for up to 90 days.

Duties

GS-3 Level: This is the entry level of the position. The MSA will receive more frequent guidance from experienced MSAs to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts 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 VHA national scheduling guidelines. GS-4 Level: This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts 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 VHA national scheduling guidelines. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member. GS-5 Level: This is the full performance level MSA position. The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; 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 VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage. Work Schedule: Typically Monday-Friday 8am-430pm however could include evenings, nights and weekends. Tours will be discussed during the interviews. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/30/2023 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. English Language Proficient. 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 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) Experience or Education. 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 one year above high school. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSA's below: 1. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner to give instructions and arrange appointments. 2. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. 3. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) Experience or Education. One year of experience in clerical or office work that indicates the ability to acquire the medical knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position or two years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate 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-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or 4 years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate 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 basic 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/53 Appendix G45. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing and walking however there aren't any physical requirements for the 0679 occupational series.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Jaszmyn Arsenault
• Email: [email protected]