The incumbent (s) will serve as Advanced Medical Support Assistant (s), assigned to the following sections of the Health Administration Service within the Community Care Scheduling. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (s) conducts scheduling of Non-VA medical appointments when services are not available or cannot be provided cost effectively at a VA facility.

Duties

Major duties of the Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) include, but are not limited to: Initiates/prepares automated authorization for medical and hospital services to include appropriate explanation of VA guidelines. Ensures completed authorization is mailed/faxed to appropriate veterans and providers. Performs "validity reviews" (follow up) of long-term and short-term authorizations to determine the need for continued community care. Notifies veteran of review and requests information from veteran and physician. Ensures that necessary information is received and prepares information and recommendation for submission of continuation or discontinuation of community care. Must create an authorization for care, utilizing the HSRM software. Must also upload/transfer that authorization to third party administrator. Also involves the assessment and obligation of funds, compiling statistical data for monthly reports, and composing/preparing correspondence associated with authorizing and/or denying treatment at VA expense. Composes letters and provides verbal assistance to a variety of individuals regarding the application/approval/appellate processes involved. Responsible for editing of patient data and authorizations in CPRS/HSRM to reflect changes in status of existing authorizations, such as address changes, cancellations, reinstatements, corrections, or other types of alterations. Cancels community care consults when notices are received and conducts an effective office environment which promotes the efficiency of program operations, creates the tone for a positive customer response to our organization, and enhances the public image of the medical center with external customers. Advises sharing beneficiaries of basic eligibility, covered and non-covered services, and program requirements with the thorough knowledge of all component programs. This will include making eligibility determinations based on the customer's status, enrollment, and services required and/or requested. Utilizes a full range of office automation skills and techniques (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, data base management, etc.) in order to assist in providing clerical, administrative, and program support. Provides personal and hands-on customer services to beneficiaries/customers requesting information or receiving health care services. Prepares and initiates necessary reports, graphic presentations, and correspondence independently in support of the program goals and objectives. Assists in presenting program data and information to medical center staff for the purpose of staff orientation and/or program review. Interfaces with and assists the clinical providers in coordinating certain administrative details (i.e., authorizations), appointment scheduling, and clinic consult services. Works with clinical partners to ensure consult content is appropriate, orders are complete, and care is routing to appropriate providers in the community. Reads, analyzes, and interprets technical and administrative directives, policies and regulations, taking action when appropriate and/or making recommendations of actions needed to accomplish requirements. Deal effectively, professionally and positively with other administrative and professional personnel throughout the medical center and community. Composes routine and technical correspondence at the direction of the Health Systems Specialist and Office of the Director. Acts as a liaison to coordinate information between the referring MD, Community Care Nurses and the receiving facility, the patient, the family, and the medical services with the VA Montana Healthcare System, to access, promote, and ensure maximum continuity of care. Communicates with physicians and community provider scheduler personnel to schedule patients for outpatient clinic appointments as needed. Participates in activities for the development and implementation of audits for the program. Functions as a member of the Care in the Community team and provides assistance to other team members when appropriate. Adheres to fire, safety, and security requirements. Communicates with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Customer focused and interactions are conducted in a professional, courteous manner. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday; 08:00am to 4:30pm MST or as agreed upon with the possibility of extended hours and weekends. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51755-A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. Experience: Six (6) 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 (1) 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. (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 REQUIREMENTS. Creditable 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]. GS-6 Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates for Advanced Medical Support Assistant GS-6: . a. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. The specialized experience for this position includes the following, but not limited to: Specialized Experience - In an advanced or complex clinical setting utilizing numerous advanced patient care systems, scheduling appointments across multiple clinics and coordination of services among a diverse team of medical providers and clinics to include outside agencies, advanced knowledge of medical terminology, advanced knowledge of the technical health care processes, policy and procedures as it relates to coordination of care. b. 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 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. c. 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.). The full performance level of this vacancy is at the GS-06 level. IMPORTANT: Education cannot be substituted for the year of specialized experience that is required. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G-45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standards, GS-0679, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary in nature with some walking, standing and bending. Occasionally requires moderate physical activity, e.g. carrying light items such as books and papers, or lifting stacks of boxes or records. Work is typically performed in an office setting; adequately lighted, quiet, and controlled atmosphere. Follows prescribed safety procedures; uses appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving heavy objects; reports observed potential safety hazards to appropriate personnel; removes or corrects safety hazards when possible; utilizes appropriate sanitary or aseptic techniques, when applicable.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Demetrius Scott
• Phone: 404-536-6576
• Email: [email protected]