The Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSA) position includes all PACT teams within Ambulatory Care Service at grade GS-6 can be assigned to East Orange, Lyons or any CBOCs within the VHA NJ HCS. The AMSAs are responsible for assisting the Veterans in providing a smooth process for the management of his/her outpatient appointments. The AMSAs perform support work in connection with the care and treatment given to the Veterans throughout the scheduling process.

Duties

The Advanced MSAs will review the clinics appointment schedule to ensure that clinic utilization is optimized and effectively supports the needs of the clinics as well as the needs of the Veterans. The incumbents develop and maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. This position includes, but is not limited to, work that requires a practical knowledge of computerized data entry and information processing systems, setting priorities and deadlines, participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether a patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients who may be receiving care at multiple VAs or in the community. The AMSAs must be knowledgeable of the medical facility's organization and services, rules and regulations governing eligibility and treatment, practical knowledge of the standard procedures, medical records, have advanced knowledge of medical terminology, security of sensitive electronic files, process improvement, and customer service. Duties will vary slightly depending on the section the Advanced Medical Support Assistant is assigned to but in general at the GS-06 level incumbents are expected to perform the following duties: facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team, notify patients of normal lab results by mailing lab letter, develop and manage a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc. Monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work, ekg). The AMSA's participate in daily team huddles and weekly team meetings to manage and plan patient care. Assist in setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record. Work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other specialty care setting where the patient aligned care team model is used such as PCMHI, Nutrition, Pharm D, Social Work, etc.). Coordinate with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary). Ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments etc. Coordinate with their PACT during schedule scrub activities, arranging with supervisor clinic cancellation, blocking, and rescheduling. Review open encounters daily and coordinate with PACT to ensure timely closure of clinic appointments, scan Non-VA medical documentation, review (ICB) insurance capture buffer daily, address (RTC) return to clinic orders daily, assist team with virtual appointment management. Perform basic eligibility requirements as noted in the VA policy. Provide input to problem solving in PACT and provides follow-up actions, sharing information and collaboration with PACT and Medical center staff, and orders administrative supplies. AMSA performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F, 8 - 4:30pm, Telework days available according to the needs of the facility. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21X72-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

RESUMES MUST CLEARLY OUTLINE WORK EXPERIENCE DATES, HOURS WORKED, CURRENT POSITION, PAY PLAN, SERIES AND GRADE, IF APPLICABLE (Resumes that does not contain this information, will be automatically disqualified). Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship 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. Certification. Not required Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities [or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting]. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as [an] MSA or [an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting]. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience [or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting] 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 a range of [varieties] as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the] following [education and experience] criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6 Experience. 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 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 of GS-5, 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. In addition to the basic requirement and the grade requirement, candidates must demonstrate/meet all of the KSAs below (MUST BE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED IN RESUME): 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II Appendix G45 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-6.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Keisha Smith
• Phone: 520-339-8112
• Email: [email protected]