The Medical Support Assistant (Advance) AMSA, schedule imaging orders requested by clinicians for the Imaging Service Division. The AMSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within the Radiology/Nuclear Medicine Service Line. The incumbent interface with numerous computer applications (CPRS, VistA, MyHealtheVet, VetLInk, VSE, etc.), in the processing, care, and treatment of Veterans while functioning as a team member in the patient care delivery setting.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within the Radiology/Nuclear Medicine Service including team huddles that are used to manage, plan, and set priorities and deadlines for meeting timeliness of scheduling imaging studies. Coordinates with the patient, interdisciplinary team including the radiologist, technologists, and patients' referring service team, nurses, other VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., communicates with non-VA medical facilities; notify patients of requirements prior to appointment including labs or x-rays; follow up care on imaging orders). Monitors pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient appointment/procedure including X-rays, Lab work, MRI safety screening requirements, etc. Data reports are run from the VistA Radiology Package or Fileman and are used to manage radiology scheduling lists Coordinates patient procedures by verifying pre-procedure workup is complete and meets procedure requirements prior to procedure. Participating and providing input on problem solving with operational issues in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions on orders and consults, educating providers about shared patients who are receiving care at multiple VAs or those who receive care in the community. Works collaboratively with the Office of Community Care for scheduling of radiologic/nuclear medicine procedures performed in the community, gathering data on patients referred to the community and developing a report that is shared with the Office of Community Care to determine if the patients care has been completed. Effectively communicate with the Office of Community Care to ensure reports and images are received, processing orders and consults in accordance to policy and following up on outstanding consults. Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification of all patients using two forms of identification, name and Social Security Number or DOB. The patient may also present the Veterans Healthcare Identification Card (VHIC) for identification. Explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to Veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. Schedules Veteran appointments in accordance with service procedures and policies and instructs the patients on standard preparation procedures required prior to testing (dietary instructions, lab tests, etc). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)/PD000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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. None required. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written 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). Grade Determinations: Applicant must meet the Basic requirement, the Experience and demonstrate all the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the position. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-0679-06: Experience. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 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.). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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. 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. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. 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. 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. 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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Preferred Experience: Ability to receive and route all Veterans who report to the facilities for scheduled and unscheduled examinations and appointment. Ensures that the patients are electronically checked in for their appointments. Ability to use Microsoft Office Software including Outlook, Word, and Excel to execute several office automations 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 e-mail. Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care. Ability to use the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (VISTA). Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0679 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer. 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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by the DOE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the DOE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]