The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) works in Care in the Community in the Iowa City VA Health Care System, and participates in a foundational role that works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Coordinating with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports. Ensuring that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments. Developing/maintaining effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. Communicating with non-VA medical facilities. Facilitating/processing secure messaging with the patient and team. Notifying patients of normal lab results. Developing and managing a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc. Participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care. Setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visits/procedures. Managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues. Participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions. Participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care. Evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested. 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. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Eligible, telework 6 plus days per pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Travel: Travel required up to 25 percent of the time. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). b. Experience and Education. (1) 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 (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. c. Certification. None required. d. 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. e. 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. f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. g. 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. GS-06 Advanced Medical Support Assistant: This GS-6 Advanced Medical Support Assistant position is above the full performance level for this job series and requires experience beyond the basic requirement for positions in this occupation. EXPERIENCE: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level that equips the candidate with the following: 1. 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. 2. Schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. 3. Work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. 4. Communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. 5. Customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills and abilities below: 1. Abilityto 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. 2. Ability to independently set priorities and organizes work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies and regulations. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. References: See VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G, page II-G45-4 & II-G45-5 Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, however, there may be some walking, standing, bending and transporting items under 20 pounds. Works extensively in the hospital computer system.

Education

There is no education substitute for experience for the GS-6 Advanced Medical Support Assistant position.

Contacts

• Address Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Callie Ross
• Phone: 515-699-5999 X23791
• Email: [email protected]