The Health Benefits Assistant will provide a variety of services to the Health Administrative Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The employee will work with Veterans, Veterans' families, staff, outside organizations, contract companies, and others. This position will also assist and cover tasks during job vacancies and employees' absences.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Advise Veterans regarding the National Enrollment Program for health care. Screen, process, and assist veterans, non-veterans, and beneficiaries seeking multiple medical treatments. Make initial determinations whether Veterans or non-Veterans meet legal/contractual requirements for medical care. Diplomatically and professionally explain benefits. Complete all administrative processing of requests and forms related to applications for care. Assure data is entered into automated systems accurately. Investigate discrepancies and resolve problems through collaborative measures between the facility, other medical centers, and the Health Eligibility Center (HEC), as necessary. Gather, enter, and update demographic, employment, insurance, and income information. Develop claims for all types of eligibility requests. Facilitate referrals and transfers to and from community hospitals and other VA medical centers. Handle suicide calls received from Veterans in an appropriate and sensitive manner, following appropriate protocol. Provide administrative support to the Emergency Department. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Schedule may need to be adjusted slightly - can be further discussed during interviews.) Position Description Title/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD60662A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit Position: Yes - AFGE Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimum Qualifications for GS-05 grade level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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 would typically include but is not limited to: performing various administrative duties (i.e., answering phones, data entry, appointment scheduling); communicating with a wide range of individuals; utilizing various computer systems to compile data; and reviewing documents for accuracy, such as benefit eligibility forms. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 4 years of education above high school at an accredited business, secretarial or technical college, junior college, college, or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (the second year) that totals 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements you meet, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed semester hours beyond the second year (EX: 75 semester hours - 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer ServiceInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational Awareness 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Sarah Drey
• Phone: 319-339-7047
• Email: [email protected]