Serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) in Radiology Service. Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within the Radiology Service. Interfaces with numerous computer applications including but not limited to CPRS, VistA, VetLink, VSE, etc. Performs responsibilities with self-direction in the processing, care, and treatment of Veterans while functioning as a team member in the patient care delivery setting.

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 Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within the Radiology Services including team huddles that are used to manage, plan, and set priorities and deadlines for meeting timeliness of scheduling imaging studies. The AMSA: Coordinates with the patient, interdisciplinary team including the ordering provider, radiologist, advanced diagnostic radiologist technologists and patients' referring service team, nurses, other VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g. communicates with non-VA medical facilities; notify patients of requirements prior to appointment including labs or x-rays; follow up care on orders). Monitors pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient appointment including X-rays, Lab work, etc. Data reports are run from the VistA Radiology Package or Fileman and are used to manage radiology orders, which includes, pending, hold/active, cancelled and past scheduled exams validating accuracy, resolving issues and disposition of orders as required in accordance with policy. Coordinates patient procedures by verifying pre-procedure workup is complete and meets procedure requirements prior to procedure. Evaluates patient information; such as lab results and/or pre-procedure prep instructions for all exams to assure readiness for diagnostic exam/procedure and resolving issues, if needed. Interprets information provided to ensure that the correct exam as ordered by the physician is the one scheduled to be done. Other assignments at this level include but are not limited to participating and providing input on problem solving with operational issues in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions on orders and consults, educating providers about shared patients who are receiving care at multiple VAs or those who receive care in the community. Works collaboratively with the Office of Community Care for scheduling of radiologic procedures performed in the community. Gathers data on patients referred to the community and developing a report that is shared with the Office of Community Care to determine if the patients care has been completed. Communicates with the Office of Community Care to ensure reports and images are received, processing orders and consults in accordance to policy and following up on outstanding consults. Additionally, this may include ensuring outside providers have prior imaging exams that are necessary for interpretation. Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification of all patients through the use of two forms of identification, name and Social Security Number or DOB. The patient may also present the Veterans Healthcare Identification Card (VHIC) for identification. Explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to Veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. He/she collects, scans, and updates health insurance information, serving a major role in the revenue process. Schedules Veteran appointments in accordance with service procedures and policies and instructs the patients on standard preparation procedures required prior to testing (dietary instructions, lab tests, etc). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. 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: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

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. 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 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. 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. 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: 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. 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. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-6 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: performing a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting; advising clinical staff on current administrative processes; 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 national scheduling guidelines; scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic. 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. Preferred Experience: Six months of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Cardiopulmonary scheduling experience Six months of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Cardiopulmonary patient preparation experience Six months of Radiology Information System (RIS) experience References: VA Handbook 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45-1 APPENDIX G45. MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD dated August 1, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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/.

Contacts

• Address George H O'Brien Jr VA Medical Center 300 Veterans Boulevard Big Spring, TX 79720 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]