This position is located in the reception area of Diagnostic Service. This position supports the medical and technical staff of Diagnostic Service to include Imaging (General Radiology, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Cardio Diagnostics (EKG, Holter Monitoring, Stress Testing, Echocardiography), Respiratory Therapy (Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Home Oxygen Therapy Program) and the Laboratory.

Duties

The incumbent is the initial point of contact for Diagnostic Service and is required to maintain good contact and relations with clinical and administrative staff in various services throughout the facility. Serves as the primary backup to the medical administrative support in the Laboratory section of Diagnostic Service, on an as needed basis. Positively identifies the patient using two identifiers upon arrival in Diagnostic Service Reception area. Verifies order prior to scheduling procedure, and clarifies any discrepancy with ordering provider before proceeding with examination. No changes will be made to the order without consulting the ordering provider, then documenting the change of order in the medical record. Utilizes Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to verify orders, pre-operative testing and schedule appointments for radiographic requests from all clinicians in accordance with Service procedures and policies. Instructs patients on standard preparation procedures required prior to testing which serves as first line patient education for moderate to complex procedures. Possesses the ability to make appointments in a clinical setting with advanced knowledge of technical processes and exam contraindications as it relates to Diagnostic Service and its Imaging modalities. Schedules appointments in the Appointment Manager scheduling package; avoiding conflicts with other scheduled diagnostic appointments within the Service, and other Medical Center services. Coordinates patient procedures by verifying pre-procedure work is complete and meets procedure requirements prior to procedure. Orders pre-procedure/pre-op tests or diagnostic exams according to policy, as needed. Utilizes VistA and CPRS to schedule Cardio Diagnostic and Respiratory Therapy consults. Utilizes VistA and CPRS to verify and accession laboratory orders. Enters lab orders, per policy, when appropriate. Utilizes the Qmatics system to prioritize phlebotomy patients by status of emergent, surgery/procedural or scheduled appointment in order to optimize workflow for technicians. Utilizes advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of the written and spoken language commonly used by technical staff and clinicians on diagnostic order sets. Ensures all patients are scheduled for exams within 30 days of date desired by the provider. If at all possible, makes every attempt to schedule exams within 14 days. Cancels and re-orders Imaging examinations according to policy when appropriate. As front line contact with patients and staff, the incumbent sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. A high degree of tact and diplomacy is required when dealing with veterans and their family members. Prepares, coordinates and schedules vascular and interventional radiology examinations in a shared drive for multidepartment communication of scheduling. Receives and answers routine telephone inquires or refers to appropriate staff member; takes messages and/or pages individuals as necessary. A heavy volume of phone calls is to be expected in this position. The incumbent must be able to balance multiple tasks simultaneously to assist customers. Has the ability to work efficiently under pressure, coping with a variety of simultaneous, unrelated tasks; to deal with frequent interruptions demanding change of focus while organizing work plans and priorities to assure timely submission of work. Advanced skills required for the operation of computers to include software programs such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel sufficient to prepare reports, enter/extract data and schedule examinations. The incumbent must be skilled in operating VistA, CPRS, and Radiology PACS system relevant to the performance of duties. Utilizes VistA and CPRS to assign view alerts to physicians on positive laboratory pathology cases, on a back up basis. Electronically scans all pertinent laboratory reports into the VistA/CPRS patient record, on a back up basis. Scanning must be completed timely and accurately. Maintains extensive knowledge of medical terminology pertinent to Laboratory pathology and chemistry reports. Maintains knowledge of departmental and Medical Center policies and procedures, and the ability to interpret and apply them appropriately to individual circumstances. The ability to perform reviews of data obtained and present analysis to supervisors in an acceptable written and oral format is required. Work Schedule: Varied schedule based on the needs of the clinic Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: 1. Experience. 12 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 Certification: None required. 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. 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: Advanced Medical Support Assistant GS-6 Grade Level: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. Experience is defined as experience that includes, but is not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed 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 basic eligibility, co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.). Candidates must also be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, skills, and abilities for the GS-0679-6 level to qualify for this position: Ability to 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. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. 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. 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. 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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations Preferred Experience: 1 Year experience with Medical terminology 1 Year experience with Medical scheduling Computer experience and fluent in excel References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45 Dated: August 1, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019.Work is partially sedentary, with frequent walking, standing, bending. carrying of light items such as papers and books, or small parts. Some slight physical effort may be required. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer.

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 Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center 1 Medical Center Drive Clarksburg, WV 26301 US
• Name: Jennifer Donnellan
• Phone: 304-623-3461 X3097
• Email: [email protected]