This Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position is in the Imaging Service of the Gulf Coast Health Care System located in Biloxi, MS.

Duties

The Medical Support Assistant works alongside a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, nurses, health physicists, nuclear medicine technologists, and diagnostic radiologic technologists to manage the individual imaging modality's daily appointment grid and patient workflow. The duties of the Medical Support Assistant may include but are not limited to: Using knowledge of equipment capabilities, staff availability, and patient preparation instructions to determine the most efficient us of the daily appointment grid. Scheduling imaging appointments adjacent to other medical appointments within the facility in order to maximize the patient's time and minimize associated travel reimbursement expenses. Working with Patient Travel and Accounting staff to ensure medical documentation is complete so that authorized veterans receive appropriate travel pay. Referencing MISSION Act rules and determines if patient is eligible to receive care in the community if Imaging Service cannot provide service Documenting patient's decision when opting in/out of care in the community in the patient's digital medical record. Running daily orders pending and hold reports within radiology information systems (i.e. VISTA Imaging) to determine scheduling priorities. Following National Radiology Program Office guidance. Contacting patients to schedule, re-schedule, and cancel imaging appointments. Informing the patient of the appointment date/time, location directions, and examination preparations. Sending appointment reminders, no-show notifications, and appointment scheduling letters to the patient. Utilizing MyHealthyVet computer application to communicate with the patient and forward more advanced questions to the imaging technologist, utilization nurse, or professional staff. Documenting communication interactions in the patient's digital medical records. Working with Imaging Service staff to ensure imaging orders are protocoled by a professional staff member prior to the appointment date. Researching prior related examinations and medical lab work. Scheduling medical lab appointments and works with ordering providers to ensure medical lab orders are active and current in the patient's medical record. Working with Inpatient staff, Emergency Department staff, and Imaging staff to coordinate patient same day appointments based on medical urgency. Performing clerical duties within the Imaging Service to include clinic reception, customer service, third party insurance screening & collection (i.e. Insurance Buffer Capture software) Uploading and downloading digital images on medical grade CD/DVD. Participating in team huddles and process improvement working groups to manage and plan clinic and patient care. Identifying incomplete encounters and communicates findings to clinical team members Monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/examination (lab work and/or fasting), Updating patient demographic data in digital medical records. Work Schedule: Will be discussed upon interview Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-00078-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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for each grade level. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. GS-05: (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level. OR, (b) Education. Four years of education above high school. Transcript must be submitted. (c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e. TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.). (d) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Experience: Scheduling appointments within the Department of Veterans Affairs Scheduling MRI's, CT Scans, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, and/or PET Appointments. **Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.** 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-05. 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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Susie Bryan
• Phone: 918-348-9281
• Email: [email protected]