Job opening: Lead Medical Support Assistant
Salary: $49 028 - 63 736 per year
Published at: Dec 18 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
These positions are aligned under Medical Administration Service (MAS), the largest administrative department in the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SG VHS) which provides quality clinical programs and services to Veterans. We offer primary health care services, as well as highly specialized, technologically advanced clinical care. The System includes two hospitals, three large satellite outpatient clinics, and several small community-based outpatient clinics.
Duties
The Lead MSA provides specialized/expert administrative patient support and leadership to the MSAs. Coordinates functions of the team of employees who perform work at the GS-3, GS-4, GS-5 and GS-6 levels by providing expert advice in the accomplishment of tasks or projects in order to accomplish the work of the clinics.
Keeps written instructions, reference materials and relevant background material available for any staff member.
Maintains current knowledge and answers questions on procedures, policies and directives.
Obtains needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and problems that arise.
Balances workload among employees and helps to assure each team member has an integral role in developing the final product or providing the assigned service.
Continuously interacts with team members aimed at building consensus and to serve as negotiator and coach for coordination of team initiatives.
Independently makes day-to-day adjustments in work priorities based on staffing shortages.
Obtains assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems that arise.
Notifies supervisor of any training needs of team members and assists other Lead MSAs during staffing shortages.
Explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. He/she collects, scans, and updates health insurance information serving a major role in the revenue process. The incumbent contributes to the revenue collection process by identifying patients with third party insurance. Promotes veteran registration for and utilization of My HealtheVet (MHV).
As front line contact with patients and staff, the incumbent sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. A high degree of tact and diplomacy is required when dealing with veterans who have multiple health problems and who may be frustrated with the administrative process associated with diagnosis and treatment.
Incumbent must be able to interpret and communicate requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities:
a. Schedule appointments and utilize the Electronic Waiting List accurately in a timely manner. All appointments will be made with the patient's input, either in person or by phone. This may require a high level of coordination to avoid patients having to make multiple trips to the medical center or clinic whenever possible.
b. Notifies his/her supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes.
c. Daily review of active/pending consults, Electronic Wait List, Recall list and Audio-care communications for accuracy and disposition.
The Lead MSA fully participates in the daily team huddles and weekly team meetings where patient care planning and management occur.
The Lead MSA is able to independently manage position responsibilities with minimal supervision as well as set priorities and deadlines adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs.
The Lead MSA may also be asked to assist in the Beneficiary Travel Program and Health Benefits Unit.
Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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. 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 one year above high school OR Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
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.
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
Grade Determinations:
Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-7
Experience - One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.
Assignment - The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
i. 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.
ii. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
iii. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
iv. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
v. Ability to provide staff development and training.
vi. 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 G45The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements: The majority of work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern.
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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
1601 Southwest Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608
US
- Name: Erica Smith
- Phone: 5418307459
- Email: [email protected]