This Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) position is in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line (DTCL) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in Houston, Texas.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf The MEDVAMC Diagnostic & Therapeutic Care Line is a complex, teaching department providing comprehensive care ranging from routine imaging exams to complex interventional radiology procedures. The AMSA performs duties related to the receipt, intake, indexing, and otherwise processing Veteran health and Care Line operational administrative information. The primary duties of the Advanced Medical Support Assistant may include but are not limited to: Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model staffed by Radiologists, Physician Assistants, Nursing staff, DRT's, Health Techs and other MSAs to provide comprehensive imaging services to eligible Veterans. Coordinates with the patient care team to optimize patient access to care. Develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with patients, the care team, other MEDVAMC departments, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), outside/other VA medical centers, and other agencies to coordinate care, responding to Veteran or Veteran designee phone calls. Notifies patients of provider decisions/recommendations regarding their imaging orders and completion of those orders. Scans patient care information into the electronic medical record. Schedules via negotiated appointments with patients corresponding to availability of the imaging clinic appointments. Adjusts the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Monitors pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g. CT Abdomen prep or Ultrasound abdomen/pelvis studies). Completes follow up assignments. Participates in and independently follows up on team huddle decisions by sharing information and collaborating with the team to assure continuity of care. Evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient's imaging needs have been fulfilled and expired orders have been discontinued (all pending orders are scheduled or completed at the time of appointment). Trains other MSAs who have not achieved the Advanced MSA level. Assures that patient appointments are scheduled and managed appropriately according to the most current MEDVAMC Medical Center Policy Memorandum. Enters clinical appointment in the EWL (Electronic Wait List) as necessary. Ensures that the patient is informed of the place and time of each appointment. Ensures that workload is properly credited. Schedules and coordinates appointment, and changes scheduled appointments, utilizing the Vista Scheduling Enhancements (VSE), Veterans Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA), and the use of the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Provides preparatory instructions to patients. Handles paperwork for clinic "walk-ins" appropriately to assure that appointments are made, and encounters are completed. Processes no-show patients and referrals per clinic policy. Work Schedule: Various schedules that may include off-tours, weekends and holidays will be discussed during the interview process and are subject to change based on Agency needs. Available Shifts are as follows: Monday-Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Tuesday-Friday (10:30am -7:00pm), Saturday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-00237-F 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. 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). Grade Determinations. To qualify for the GS-06 level, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-06 (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your resume that you have experience that includes: Entering, modifying, retrieving sensitive information into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports; Scheduling medical appointments in a clinical setting; Performing patient support work; Providing customer service and identifying patient concerns to ensure satisfactory resolution; Advanced level of medical terminology. (b) Assignment. The Advanced MSA provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.). (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, you must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs in your resume: Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. 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-06. Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Kassidee Kennedy
• Phone: (318) 347-1699
• Email: [email protected]