The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) has responsibility for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative functions in support of the overall care and treatment of inpatients with Nursing Service of the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS).

Duties

The MSA ensures all patient movement (admissions, discharges, transfers, treating specialty transfers, provider changes) are entered in DHCP utilizing the Bed Control Menu. Manually maintains and continually updates the electronic log containing all patient movement per unit routine. The incumbent prints patient/resident census at the start of each shift. Enters and monitors computer data of active patients/residents for appropriate assignment of treating specialties, primary care physicians, attending physicians, room and bed assignments. She/he takes necessary steps to correct any errors immediately. Coordinates patient/resident activity with Medical Administrative Services to expedite patient/resident movements. The incumbent works with the treatment team to assist and coordinate patient/resident discharges, ensuring all the discharge (dirty) beds are entered into the Bed Management System (BMS) and patients/residents discharge appointments are entered into CPRS according to the physician order. The incumbent will discharge and/or transfer patients/residents from the unit census via DHCP within 15 minutes of the patients/residents leaving the unit/area. The incumbent is responsible for notifying the accepting Registered Nurses (RN) and Treatment team of new inpatient/resident arrival. Performs all administrative work involved with the admission, discharge and transfer of patients/resident. Schedules for patient/resident appointments with various clinics, services and consultants. Coordinates appointment for patients/residents to avoid conflicts in treatments and to meet the scheduling requirements of clinic or service to which the patient/resident is referred. Initiates action to notify nursing personnel and patients/residents of tests and appointments. Requests escort and/or transportation, on or off station, for patient/resident as ordered; ensuring there are physician orders and established guidelines are followed. Logs patient/resident movements in an identified electronic tracking tool in accordance with unit routine. She/he assists in training of new MSA in duties and responsibilities of the MSA position and procedures unique to the unit in which the new employee is assigned. Orientation includes, but is not limited to, admitting patient/resident to the unit/neighborhood, lab tests, utilization of the BMS, DHCP, CPRS transcribing doctor's orders for medications, treatments, tests, consultations and scheduling. All MSA are required to assist on other wards as time permits or as directed by supervisory staff. On some patient care units, the MSA prepares receipts for withdrawal of funds for both restricted and unrestricted accounts. Initiates forms for indigent patients for supplies and barbering services. The MSA inputs all work orders into the computer and follows up on completion of the work. This includes but is not limited to IT ticket requests, equipment turn-ins and general work orders. Other duties as assigned by leadership. Work Schedule: 700a-330p Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 00000

Requirements

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. Physical Requirements: Applicants must undergo a pre-employment medical examination and be medically suitable to perform the essential duties efficiently and without hazard to themselves and others in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3J. Experience and Education: 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. Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current MSA Practices: To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MSA. Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience at the next lower grade level. 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. Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as a MSA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2 time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. GS-05 (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level; OR, Education: Four years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below: i. 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. ii. [Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.] iii. Ability to [schedule medical] appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties [performing patient support work]. v. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally [in person, electronically, and/or by telephone], with [internal and external customers]. vi. [Skill in customer service with the ability] to identify [customer] concerns, [and refer] to the [appropriate staff], as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

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 Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Tania Hopson
• Phone: 404-417-5442
• Email: [email protected]