Veterans preference does not apply in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7412, Annual determination of staffing shortages; recruitment and appointment for needed occupations. The Central Alabama Veterans HealthCare System is currently recruiting for a Lead Medical Support Assistant. This position serves as the Lead MSA in the Medical Support Assistant Section of the Care in the Community Service for the Central Alabama VA Medical Center.

Duties

The incumbent is responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative and technical duties in support of community care referral management. This person provides administrative coordination of patient care, appointments, and logistical factors associated with direct patient care, inpatient and outpatient, related to the coordination of care between the VAMC and outside facilities, both VA and Non-VA. Incumbent uses a broad working knowledge of all medical center programs and services and of the varying priorities and complexities of outside care for specialty services. The complexity of duties may encompass numerous clerical responsibilities, including but not limited to: typing, filing, data entry, scheduling appointments and tests, ensuring transfer of medical records from and to the VAMC and other facilities, ordering office supplies and necessary forms, scheduling patients' appointments and/or consults, tracking patients' appointment status in the community and maintaining spreadsheets to validate data tracking, making follow-up (post-care) calls on a daily basis, completing electronic forms for cost estimate/payment of community medical care by the VA; consistently verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; researching and maintaining an updated database of community medical services to assist Veterans with locating medical care in the community; assisting with processing all emergent and non- emergent consults for medical care in the community. Additional duties 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 Acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts Additional duties as required Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Lead Medical Support Assistant/PD619-F50571-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualifications: Administrative Medical Support Assistant and Community Care Experience preferred. 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: 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, Education. One 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, experience with Microsoft excel, VA Time and Attendance training, medical terminology, and training experience. 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the 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. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and a range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, an MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service. 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: 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: 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 Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679 Veterans Health Administration August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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

There is no education substitution for specialized experience for the GS- 07 level.

Contacts

• Address Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Tamara Brown
• Phone: 404-321-6111 X573325
• Email: [email protected]