This Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) position is in the Health Administration Service located in Fayetteville, AR. Position(s) are physically located at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas and at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Branson, Missouri. Select all locations you are willing to consider. Once selected for a specific location as indicated in your application, changes in assigned location after selection will not be considered.

Duties

This position is in the Health Administration Service (HAS), Eligibility and Enrollment Section, under the direct supervision of the Health Eligibility, Enrollment, and Benefits Supervisor. The duties of the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) include but are not limited to: Entering data and information when necessary, but also reviewing reports, records and statistical computations for accuracy and propriety. Reviewing the Incomplete Encounter Management Module (IEMM) report to clean up any discrepancies in administrative data. Applying an extensive body of rules and regulations relative to Veteran's eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, assisting families with a Veteran's death, burial, and explanation of death benefits. Entering demographic, insurance, and income information into the Vista system. Determining entitlement to medical care as well as bill preparation and collections on all billable episodes of inpatient and outpatient care. Working under considerable pressure and planning workload without halting or interrupting the operation as a whole by showing initiative in completing priority tasks. Working rapidly with a high degree of accuracy, while effectively and properly analyzing and evaluating all situations to ensure that the veterans and family's welfare is protected at all times. Applying knowledge of the priorities, commitments, and goals for HAS Health Eligibility and Enrollment Section, as it relates to Veteran's health benefits and the Medical Center's operating principles to meet this facility's needs as they relate to annual goals. Possessing comprehensive knowledge of various services available at this facility, surrounding VA, and Non- VA facilities. Understanding the laws and regulations pertaining to eligibility and entitlement for benefits including death benefits, such as Title 38 CFR and 1601 Handbooks. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, relatives, and hospital staff. Possessing high communication skills in oral and written communication techniques. Relating and coordinating with individuals of all socioeconomic and educational levels. Possessing knowledge of the technical operations of VISTA, including registration, scheduling and application programs. Possessing knowledge and ability to explain the eligibility of beneficiary travel rules and regulations regarding legal entitlement to travel reimbursement for Veterans. Interpreting and communicating requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities to include PACT. Possessing the knowledge of the clinic procedures and regulations in operating computer systems and applications, such as Vista, CPRS, and Microsoft applications to accurately enter or extract information. Managing the New Enrollment Appointment Request (NEAR) list, and electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues. Providing input during team meetings to aid in resolving problems with enrollment issues or panel assignments. Sharing information and collaborating with the medical team in order to ensure continuity of care. Evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested. Generating and monitoring enrolled patient data base information for accurate health insurance data, income assessments for the Means Test and Pharmacy co-pay exemption programs on a regular basis. Identifying and collates health insurance information from all applicants for entry to the ICB or VISTA, copies or scans insurance company enrollment identification cards, research employers as needed to obtain complete data when applicants do not have complete information. Applying knowledge of revenue process requirements as they relate to the facility and processing patients for care and ensure proper capture of insurance data into the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) are required. Preparing correspondence to veterans concerning eligibility and counsels' veterans who do not meet criteria for transportation reimbursement. Possessing ability to ascertain number of family dependents, income levels and other information to substantiate a veteran's ability to pay. Monitoring enrolled patient data base information on a regular basis (at a minimum, annually) to perform updates to health insurance data, income assessments for the Means Test and Pharmacy Co-pay Exemption programs as mandated by law. Enrolling Veterans in and possess knowledge of the My HealtheVet web-based program to include in assisting in authentication process for veterans. Work Schedule: Typically Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm; May vary based on needs of the service. To be discussed upon call to interview. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 560-00116-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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. Experience and Education. (1) 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, (2) Education. One year above high school; OR, (3) 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. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Grade Determinations. To qualify for the GS-06 level, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-06 (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your resume that you have experience that includes: Entering, modifying, retrieving sensitive information into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports; Scheduling medical appointments in a clinical setting; Performing patient support work; Providing customer service and identifying patient concerns to ensure satisfactory resolution; Advanced level of medical terminology. (b) 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.). (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, you must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs in your resume: 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: Skill in interpreting computer generated reports and understanding data processing capabilities is essential. Thorough knowledge of the components and technical operations of VISTA, including registration, scheduling and application programs that have been built into it is necessary. Full access and functionality in utilizing other eligibility software such as Hospital Inquiry (HINQ), Veterans Information System (VIS), Enrollment System (ES), and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), are required elements of a Certified Health Benefits Advisor; in conjunction with skill in using a calculator to accurately compute mathematical equations for income assessments, etc. Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing tasks. A high degree of personal and professional accountability, maturity, stability and the ability to function independently and work effectively as a team with internal and external personnel. Ability to adapt to changing work assignments as needed to meet facility needs. Data Management-Uses spreadsheets and databases to complete and track work assignments. References:VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II, Appendix G45 VA Qualification Standard for Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Corey Noble
• Phone: 228-243-9883
• Email: [email protected]