The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the Outpatient Clinic Operations section, Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cutoff date for referral is October 20, 2023. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the Outpatient Clinic Operations section, Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, Outpatient Clinic Operations of both Primary Care and Specialty areas of the service. The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health administrative information. The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as Vista, GUI, CPRS, Skype, Email, and VARR. The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Employee plans and organizes work general assistance from the supervisor as to meet local and VA - wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports and special assignments and only refers to the non-routine and high technical problems to his/her supervisor. The incumbent is responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record. Employee is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties. Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information. Otherwise, works independently making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performs duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required. Performance is judged in terms of overall effectiveness of the operation through broad general objectives, the adequacy and accuracy of the work, timeliness, and conformance to established procedures, policies, and instructions. Perform other duties as assigned. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Scheduling, cancelling, 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 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 preauthorization requirements for specific coverage, printing the (EARR) Encounter Action Required Report for the area assigned daily. Adhere to the daily work procedures. Adhere to the phone call etiquette with all veterans and TVHS Staff. Functions Demonstrates Courtesy and Professionalism. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, co-workers and the public. Has the skill to refrain from giving medical advice. Health Care process. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care, and clinic management. Applies Knowledge of Medical Terminology. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of medical terminology to be able to communicate effectively with both professional and non­ professional employees. Proficiency in Computerized Programs. Utilizes computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive information and various data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems, and/or reporting formats. Maintains patient confidentiality with written and verbal information, per HIPAA requirement and is a qualified typist having the necessary keyboarding skills? Works Independently. Works in a proficient and self-directed manner, setting priorities and coordinating work in accordance with established processes, policies and regulations. Skillful Documentation. Skillful in the documentation of calls. Documents all calls in the telephone triage computerized documentation software. Communication. Effectively communicates, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives, may be responsible for presenting data to various organizational levels. Physical Demands: The majority of work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or service assigned tour. May include rotating shifts Telework: NOT AVAILABLE Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Approved. Recruitment/relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified Candidate. 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. Basic Requirements. 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. Experience/Education Requirement 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, 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. Applicants 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).Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (August 1, 2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Medical Support Assistant, GS-3 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. AND Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs 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. Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 (Intermediate Level): To qualify candidates must meet either: 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. AND Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs 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. Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 (Full Performance Level): To qualify candidates must meet either: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level. Examples of assignments at this level are but are not limited to: scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment; interviewing patients for appointments; referring patients to other medical specialty clinics; providing information to patients necessary to resolve VA Handbook complaints; interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. OR, Education. Four years of education above high school; AND 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 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. References: August 1, 2019 VA HANDBOOK 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. Physical Requirements: Operate a computer terminal and be able to manage multiple activities at one time. Work is generally sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items. Work Environment: The work may be stressful due to the accelerated pace for several hours at a time during peak hours or on days that have a large volume of activity. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Keziah Israel
• Phone: 404-327-1264
• Email: [email protected]