Job opening: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) (Nuclear Medicine Service)
Salary: $54 588 - 70 960 per year
Published at: Sep 27 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To perform a variety of administrative and clerical duties associated with determining eligibility, receiving, admitting and discharging patients in support of veterans' treatment in outpatient clinics and inpatient care units at these facilities.
The Organizational Location of the Position is: Nuclear Medicine Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) located in Dallas, TX.
Duties
Duties include but are not limited to:
Identify Customer Concerns. Applies discernment and sensitivity when performing task required resolving issues accurately and timely. Facilitates any necessary follow-up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
Operate Computerized Programs. Utilizes computerized programs and data bases to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive information and various data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems, and/or reporting formats. Utilizes such programs and databases to make appointments in a clinical setting. Maintains patient confidentiality with written and verbal information, per HIPPA requirements.
Applies Knowledge of Medical Terminology. In their area of responsibility, demonstrates basic knowledge of medical terminology sufficient to communicate effectively with a variety of professional and clinical staff which may include ancillary departments and services to gain or convey information in the performance of their duties or to assist the veterans with their needs.
Works Independently. Works in a proficient and self-directed manner in order to accomplish a wide variety of task, to include setting priorities and coordinating work.
Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving email. Uses the VistA as well as the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to access information in the facility's computer system.
Independently plans the work, resolves problems, carries out successive steps of assignments,· and makes adjustments using accepted standard operating procedures or practices. Handles problems and/or deviations that arise in accordance with established policies, regulatory and administrative guidelines, directives, written and verbal instructions, and accepted practices in the Service. Employee refers controversial issues to the Supervisor and/or Lead for direction/assistance.
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 the standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, 7:30am to 4:00pm, or 8:00am to 4:30pm; Incumbent may be required to rotate shifts
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: not required
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.
Experience and Education.(1) 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,(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.
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 3.j.
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).
GS-6 Grade Level Requirements: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
Assignment. The Advanced MSA provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as Assignment. The Advanced MSA provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams , VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.).Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: processes incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealthyVet and coordinates with care team as appropriate; participates in] team huddles and team meetings to manage, plan, problem solve, and follow-up with patient care by sharing information and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team; setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers; as needed; assists the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions; enters appropriate information into the electronic record; monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure; manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment; informs team members about shared patients (i.e.), those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community). 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. 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.
ii. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
iii. 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.
iv. 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.
v. 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.
vi. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.
Preferred Experience:
Prior experience in Nuclear Medicine or Diagnostic Imaging
Knowledge of Nuclear Medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Advanced knowledge of medical terminology
Familiarity with VANTHCS Nuclear Medicine scheduling software (Vista Appointment Management, Vista Radiology Package, Nuclear Medicine Information Systems, IPlan)
Timekeeping and/or ADPAC experience
Providing customer service to Veteran population
References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.
Physical Requirements: The work will be performed in an office/hospital setting with no unique discomforts. Employee works in close proximity to other employees. Work is performed in a clinic responsible for treating patient with a wide variety of medical problems. Lifting to 25lbs;
No Lifting (over 25lbs); sitting (7 hours); walking (3 hours); reaching above shoulders (2hours); simple grasping (use of fingers; both hands required, 7 hours); standing (4hours); repeated bending (3 hours); twisting (3 hours); pulling/pushing (over 25lbs); fine manipulation (includes keyboarding 7 hours).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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 Dallas VA Medical Center
4500 South Lancaster Road
Dallas, TX 75216
US
- Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
- Email: [email protected]
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