This Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) position is in the Mental Health Service of the Alexandria VA Health Care System located in Pineville, LA.

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 Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) serves as the direct line supervisor for the Lead Medical Support Assistant and the Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSA) housed at the Natchitoches CBOC, Ft. Polk CBOC and the Mental Health, SUDS, PDHC and PTSD clinics at the Alexandria main campus. The Supervisory MSA plans and directs programs at the medical center within the framework of applicable laws, procedures, and objectives. Assignments at this level may include but are not limited to: Assigns and evaluates the work of subordinate staff. Resolves complex problems. Provides solutions and informs the SMAS, which is the immediate supervisor, once rectified and seeks further guidance for extenuating circumstances as needed to ensure patient services are met. Evaluates new products, equipment, and systems in order to make recommendations for improved operations. Identifies educational or training needs. Participates in Lead MSA/MSA selection process, evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the MSAs' activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data in order to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management. Works collaboratively with all providers within the Mental Health Product Line - Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Nurse Practitioners, LMHPCs, MFTs, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Support Staff -- and performs all related duties, customer service and other duties as assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients and assures appointment schedules are maintained by MSA staff for one or more outpatient clinics. Assists with clinic access contingency plans by adjusting appointment times, location, or dates as well as shift patients to other healthcare providers as conflict with staffing and/or coverage occurs. Assures MSA staff explain the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to Veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. Assures staff collect, scan, and update health insurance information serving a major role in the revenue process. Contributes to the revenue collection process by identifying patients with third party insurance. Assures front line contact with patients and staff by setting the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. Must be able to train staff on the requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities. Participates in Interviews of applicants via Performance Based Interview Panel (PBI) for vacancies within the section and recommends selection. Makes recommendations on employee promotions, reassignments, classification action, separation, etc. Opens yearly performance with MSA staff, conducts monthly reviews, performs mid year and end-of-year evaluations. Approves or disapproves all leave requests within areas of supervision within 72 hours. Hears and resolves complaints from employees referring only more serious unresolved complaints and group grievances to the Supervisory Medical Administration Specialist. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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 #: 502-00364-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-08 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. Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-08 (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Experience includes: Utilizing patient systems to provide interdisciplinary support to multiple clinics, providing staff training, managing staff workload, following up on pending issues OR Performing supervisory duties including work assignments, performance evaluations, selection of staff, delegating authority, providing staff development, and overseeing people and programs in a patient support setting. (b) Assignment. Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics. They have full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor, or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: evaluating the work of subordinate staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the subordinate lead, supervisor, and MSA's activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports to senior management in support of tracking measures. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment. **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-08. 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: 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 Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Kassidee Kennedy
• Phone: (318) 347-1699
• Email: [email protected]