The Syracuse VA Medical Center has 3 vacancy for a Program Support Assistant in the Health Benefits Center. Responsibilities include: eligibility determination, program management, financial technician functions, basic Medical Cost Care Fund functions, transportation functions, beneficiary travel billing management, health benefit determination and counseling, subject matter expert to CBOC staff, data management, and Sharing Agreements, and some outreach opportunities.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent must maintain a thorough working knowledge and understanding of principles, concepts, policies, laws, regulations, and objectives applicable to an extensive variety of multiple complex and interacting VA and benefit programs including but not limited to: eligibility determination, health benefit counseling, financial assessment processes, co-payment responsibilities, Beneficiary Travel, Long-Term care eligibility, Community Care, Sharing Agreements such as TRICARE/ ChampVA. The incumbent receives, reviews, and processes new and recurring applications for Medical, Dental, Behavioral Heath, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Diagnostic and Therapeutics, outpatient, inpatient, and Long-Term care services, independently applying the appropriate unique regulatory authority to each program. Incumbent independently verifies eligibility for care utilizing primary sources including but not limited to HINQ, VIS, and/or military discharge papers. Responsibilities include financial data collection, data entry, analysis, and interpretation of initial and subsequent annual veteran financial assessments. Directly assist the veteran and/or family member in understanding and completing their financial assessment. Provide veterans with billing information and serve as primary contact for billing issues; includes research , identification, analysis, and resolution/ reconciliation utilizing the VISTA billing software to research individual billing information. Determine eligibility for travel at government expense, based upon applicable federal regulations and policies, for program benefits. Examines analyzes external documentation submitted for transportation reimbursement to determine if government expenditure is appropriate. Arranges all modes of of transportation. Involved in direct handling of cash items and the use of cash accountability control methods in support of the patient funds. Manages personal funds of patients on deposit at a VA Medical Center. Responsibilities include safekeeping of patient funds in PFOP accounts and ensuring adequate monitors and controls are in place. Incumbent coordinates the environmental exam process including Agent Orange. Persian Gulf, Ionizing Radiation Program, POW, and Project SHAD. Determines eligibility for death benefits. Prepares and processes death certificates and legal documents related to release of monies, valuables, and personal effects. Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not required. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, directive, and hospital memoranda, and an ability to interpret and apply regulatory guidelines to numerous Healthcare programs. Extensive knowledge of all regulations, directives, policies, and procedures governing all VSC programs. This includes: Enrollment and Registration, eligibility determination, bed control/ emergency room, Descendent Affairs, Beneficiary Travel, PFOP, billing, Hoptel, Environmental Exposure Program, Sharing Agreements such as TRICARE/ ChampVA, and Data integrity. Extensive knowledge in VISTA software packages. Thorough knowledge of email systems, MS office, spreadsheets, and other equipment. Thorough knowledge of medical administrative processes as they apply to eligibility and access to care is necessary for this position. Knowledge of how to facilitate our customers "use" of our services. Working knowledge of both Joint Commission and VA health information/ documentation requirements as applied to the inpatient/ outpatient setting. Knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to read and interpret written provider orders. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

Contacts

• Address Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Erika Weisbrod
• Phone: 680-216-8337
• Email: [email protected]