The duties of the Prosthetics Medical Support Assistant (MSA) are to administer, or perform work concerned with rendering prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients in the VISN 20 catchment area.

Duties

The incumbent will cover all clinics during staffing shortages to ensure overall functions of the PSAS. The occupation involves technical work concerned with processing orders from the Medical and clinical staff, which includes responsibility for interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance to with VHA National Scheduling Directives guidelines. The work requires practical knowledge of human anatomy, medical terminology, and legal requirements of the medial record. Clear concise judgement, discretion, customer service, ability to deal with a diverse population, a high degree of tact and negotiating ability are required daily to carry out the functions of the position. Performs scheduling functions for Orthotic and Prosthetics Consults, Prosthetic request and Return to Clinic orders, following all rules and regulations in regard to the VHA Dir 1230 Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Answers a multiple of telephones calls and records messages pertaining Prosthetic Consult requests and organize urgent issues that require referral to the professional staff for the immediate action. Shows courtesy, respect, and positive attitude towards patients, co-workers and the public. Provides front-line assistance to customers with questions and concerns. Arranges/schedules appointments for patients at a variety of locations, services and consultants on the Prosthetics request process, coordinates appointments for the timeliness and to avoid conflicts in patient treatment and to meet the schedule of PSAS. The MSA also manages the daily appointment list which requires scheduling, canceling and processing no-shows appointments. Shows courtesy, respect and a positive attitude towards patients, co-workers and the public. Works in a proficient and self-directed manner to accomplish a wide variety of tasks , to include setting priorities and coordinating work. Assist patients in contacting volunteer or special services as needed, communicating tactfully and effectively both orally and in writing if needed. Retrieves and inputs pertinent data into our VISTA and CPRS programs, maneuvers and retrieves medical documentation from the VISTA Capture/Display Program and is knowledgeable with Remote Data and is able to when needed to retrieve appropriate data req Maintains office supplies for the clinics, printer and/or copy machines, sorting mail and distributing fax communications. Advises veterans on selected non-medical benefits of a routine nature and appropriately refers veterans to information sources when questions concerning benefits of a more complex nature. On a daily basis collaborate, communicate, set priorities and organize their work to ensure compliance, meet deadlines with established processes, policies, and regulations. Maintains patient confidentiality with written and verbal information per Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by Supervisor. These duties may be station specific. Work Schedule: M-F 7:00am-3:30pm, 7:30am-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Support Assistant/000000 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: Citizenship. (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.). Experience and Education. 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. Certification. None required. 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 3j. 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: GS-03: 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, Education. One year above high school. OR, Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSA's below: Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. GS-04 Experience. One year of experience in 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. Two years of education above high school. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrated all of the KSA's 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-05 (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4 grade) OR, 4 years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of 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 medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Ability to make 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred 6 months experience in the following 5 areas: medical scheduling, medical terminology, managing phone calls, clerical duties and computer competency. References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: The work is mainly sedentary there is some walking while covering other clinics within the Hospital, relaying pertinent information to staff. There is also minimal lifting/bending involved when handling supplies. The work may be mentally taxing and strong customer service skills is 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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Email: [email protected]