The VA New Jersey Health Care System (VA NJHCS) is an integrated level 1B system comprising of two (comprehensive healthcare) facilities: East Orange and Lyons; and ten Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located throughout the State. The Lead Medical Support Assistant (Lead MSA) is a staff position located under the Medical Administrative Service (MAS) with VA NJHCS. This position is located in Lyons, NJ.

Duties

The Lead MSA monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. 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; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; ensuring all training requirements are met; organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas; and acting as liaison between Lead MSA and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts. The Lead MSA is responsible for a variety of customer service functions including data entry, data retrieval and records processing. The incumbent provides oversight and guidance for staff who perform the following duties: scheduling appointments, recall scheduling and verifying provider orders for scheduling purposes, cancelling, re-scheduling and/or recalling patients' appointments, consults and/or compensation & pension (C&P) examinations; appointment reconciliation including pulling clinic lists; appointment cancellation; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; performing data validation audits and quality care data retrieval oversight 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 eligibility, co-pay and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage; acquiring knowledge of travel and all related duties for providing treatment; authorizing and calculating reimbursement of travel expenses for qualified outpatients; collecting data necessary to prepare monthly AMIS reports; communicating scheduling and consult issues with clinical staff as needed and all other duties as described in the MSA functional statement. The incumbent routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound inter-personal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive nature of the information being communicated or discussed. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties. The Lead MSA shall schedule Outpatient Clinic appointments using Veteran Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. The Lead MSA shall comply with established business rules to schedule and/or create provider and patient requested visits, consultations and recall scheduling; make reminder calls and send appointment letter to Veterans. The incumbent shall comply with all mandatory training requirements. Work Schedule: M - F, 8am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21270-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: United states Citizen English Language Proficiency: Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. Experience and Education: Experience. Six months of 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A. 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). Grade Determinations: a. Creditable Experience Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or [an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity difficulty, and a range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-7 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level leading MSAs or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. Assignment. The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. 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. ii. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. iii. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. iv. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. v. Ability to provide staff development and training. vi. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS7 to GS7. Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying office items. The incumbent will spend their time on the "floor" handling incoming calls, consults and scheduling non VA appointments providing guidance and leadership to (16) Advance Medical Support Assistants as well as ensuring assistance to Veterans.

Education

There is no educational substitution for this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Keisha Smith
• Phone: 520-339-8112
• Email: [email protected]