The incumbent serves as a Lead Medical Support Assistant in the Business Office. She/he works at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Birmingham, Alabama. The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information. The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous Vista applications.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: The Lead MSA monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information. The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous Vista applications. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility, conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work. Ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments. Providing guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures. Distributing and balancing workload while creating and maintaining employee work schedules, Orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees and ensuring all training requirements are met. Organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas, and acting as liaison between MSA and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts. Plan and organizes work with general assistance from the supervisor to meet local and VA-wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports and special assignments. The incumbent is responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record. Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information. The incumber strives to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Communicates and treats customers in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Performs other Duties as assigned by leadership. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:30am - 4:00pm (subject to change based on agency needs) Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54031F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. English Language Proficiency: Applicants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: For GS-7 (Lead Medical Support Assistant) - In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have the following: (a) Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to the following: Coordinating with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), 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 (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team; notify patients of normal lab results; develop and manage a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc.); technical competency in the use of Vista and CPRS systems is required; must have knowledge of eligibility for VA medical care, priorities for care, release of information, Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Laws, and the Medical Fee Basis programs; must have knowledge of and be able to provide information about VA Medical Care Cost Recovery Program to patients regarding insurance data collection and revenue collection; participating in team meetings to manage and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines for the team, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work); managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; 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. IMPORTANT: Education cannot be substituted for the one year of specialized experience required at this grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Candidates must 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 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45 August 1, 2019, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard https://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 07. Physical Requirements: The work of the positions is primarily sedentary; however, some walking, standing, bending stooping and carrying of small items such as files may be required.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Greta Kirby
• Email: [email protected]