Incumbent serves as a first line Lead Medical Support Assistant for the Buffalo VA Medical Center in the department of Health Administration. Incumbent will serve one of the following sections in Health Administration: COVID Operations, Primary Care/Specialty Care Call Center operations, Medicine and Imaging Services or Surgical and Supportive Services.

Duties

The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in interdisciplinary unit. Responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts. For all assignments above the full performance level, 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.

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. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Certification. None required. Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Computer Security Requirement. Protects sensitive and electronic files that must be safeguarded under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHS policy. Physical Requirements. Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Computer Knowledge. Uses MS Word or word processing software to execute several office automation functions. Uses MS Excel or other comparable spreadsheet software. Uses the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture. Utilizes Veterans Scheduling to schedule patient appointments. Safety. Employee will support the safety, occupational health and fire protection program by the application of approved standards, regulations, practices and work methods. Training. Lead ensures all subordinates have completed their mandatory trainings in a timely manner as well as assigning specific trainings to staff as related to job functions. 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. 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). Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, an applicant must meet the specialized experience for GS-7. Specialized experience includes: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. GS-6 duties can include: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts; assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate MSA staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved clinic operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect [and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff]. Ability to provide staff development and training. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics. References: VA Handbook 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45, August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: 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.

Contacts

• Address VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Christina Morel
• Phone: 845-831-2000 X215041
• Email: [email protected]