The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for four Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) - Referral Coordination Initiative. The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) will function in Nursing Ambulatory Care Service.

Duties

Duties of the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) - Referral Coordination Initiative include but are not limited to: Communicate with Veterans on their health care options including local VA, VA Medical Center, and community based eligibility, allowing the Veteran to make the most informed decision for Right Care, Right Time, at Right Location. Coordinating with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary). Ensuring the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic and providing the necessary recommendations to ensure compliance or corrective actions and the appropriate level of access. Maintaining effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA Medical Centers, and other agencies (e.g., assisting with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team; notify patients of appointments; manage a tracking system for follow up care such as Return to Clinic Orders, Recall, consults, tests, etc.). Participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care. Setting priorities and deadlines. Adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Works with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and enters appropriate information into the electronic record. Monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work). Managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues Participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings. Performing administrative follow up actions Participates in and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested. Educates providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. Plans and organizes work with general assistance from the supervisor as to meet local and VA-wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports and special assignments and only refers to the non-routine and high technical problems to his/her supervisor. Reports backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians, or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the record. Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties. Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information. Works independently making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performs duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5:00pm with flexibility as needed Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92819-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education. (1) 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. 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). 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. (2) 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. Grade Determinations: GS-06: Candidates at this grade must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of this experience include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling [patient] appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring 6 [appointment requests from multiple] electronic [sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic], monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments [in] areas of responsibility; [ ] verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when [patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates administrative functions relating to] emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals [and determines appointment type based on the patient's] eligibility [status] (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, [collaterals, research patient, VA employee], etc.). In addition to the basic qualifications, applicants must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work of this position is primarily sedentary working closely with others or alone. There may be some walking, standing, bending, kneeling, carrying of light items under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, driving an automobile, etc. The work environment typically involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of an office, meeting or training room. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The physical requirements of this position are concerned with the mental/emotional and physical ability of the incumbent to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by VA Directive 5019.

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 VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Maria Lee
• Phone: 216-791-3800 X42136
• Email: [email protected]