The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) in the Nursing Mental Health for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas, Nevada and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Duties

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: - The MSA will provide reception and support at the front desk by greeting visitors, answering phone calls, forwarding phone calls to staff and taking messages for them. The MSA will answer the phone with a salutation, state name, location of the unit, and ask how he/she may be of service. - The MSA answers patient call bells and ensures patient request is passed along to the appropriate nursing staff. - The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not Limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; monitoring inpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; accurately assures physician orders are entered into CPRS properly; relates to staff, patients and family members in a patient centered care manner. - Interacts with patients, supervisors, staff, visitors, and non-VA personnel reflecting a working knowledge of cultural differences in language communication style, physical limitations and other diversity-related factors. - Communicates with Admitting Department, Emergency Department, and Clinical Coordinator/Bed Flow Coordinator to coordinate the admission of patients. Notifies appropriate personnel and supporting departments of a patient admission, transfer, discharge, or death. - Prepares requisitions for diagnostic tests and communicates orders to appropriate departments as directed or where applicable. - Initiates forms and makes necessary appointments for X-Ray, EKG, and other diagnostic tests, examinations, treatments, and outpatient visits for inpatients and upon discharge as directed or where applicable. Work Schedule: To be determined. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). 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. 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. 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: Medical Support Assistant GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 Experience: One year of experience in 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: Two years of education above high school. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to [facilitate medical care for patients Ability to use, [and navigate between], various types of office automation equipment and software [(i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care]. iii. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. OR Education: Four years of education above high school Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 published August 1, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items such as books, papers, and files may be required.

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.

Contacts

• Address Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Teresa Inch
• Phone: 702-791-9000 X14898
• Email: [email protected]