The position is located in the Watertown CBOC and signed to the Health Benefits Center. The incumbent performs a broad range of administrative Responsibilities that include but are not limited to: community outreach activities, eligibility determination, program management financial technician functions, basic Medical Cost Care Fund functions, transportation functions, beneficiary travel billing management, and health benefit determination/counseling.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent will be required to maintain working knowledge of and perform cross coverage work in all program areas of the VSC. VSC Program areas and their required duties are defined in the following descriptions. The incumbent must maintain a thorough working knowledge and understanding of principles, concepts, policies, laws, regulations, and objectives applicable to an extensive variety of multiple complex and interacting VA and benefit programs including but not limited to eligibility determination, health benefits counseling, financial assessment processes, co-payment responsibilities, Beneficiary Travel, Long Term Care eligibility, Non-VA Care, Sharing Agreements such as TRICARE and CHAMPVA. Advise applicants of the health care benefits they are legally entitled to, initiate administrative processes for establishing care, and notify appropriate healthcare personnel accordingly. Answers multiple inquiries and educates veterans, families, and internal and external stakeholders. May be asked to respond to complex questions involving regulations and/or beneficiary entitlements and will handle or disposition concerns ensuring that quality service is rendered in a timely, complete and caring manner. The incumbent is required to keep abreast of the frequent changes in laws, regulations and/or other pertinent directives that change medical benefits and entitlements. Accordingly, VSC staff must respond to technical questions regarding a patient administrative rights and situational eligibility for healthcare and provide patients with needed administrative advice and guidance. The incumbent will need to research situations where the eligibility cannot be immediately established. The Medical Support Assistant will educate and counsel veterans, families, and agency employees regarding Veteran entitlement to healthcare benefits. Responsibilities of incumbent include financial data collection, data entry, analysis, and interpretation of initial and subsequent annual veteran financial assessments; applying results of financial assessments to applicable regulatory authorities to determine veteran co-payment responsibilities, for Outpatient visits, inpatient hospitalizations, Long Term Care programs and pharmaceuticals: communication of co-payment responsibilities to patients and/or family; and third party health insurance data collection utilizing scanning equipment and VISTA software. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD01040A PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not required. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: orders and maintains necessary level of needed forms and office supplies; maintenance of office records and files; Compiles data for reporting purposes; experience inputting data into a computerized database; experience recording and managing physical items such as donation; and utilizing interpersonal communication skills which foster effective working relationships. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

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.

Contacts

• Address Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Jessica McCann
• Phone: 315-425-4400
• Email: [email protected]