This Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position is in the Health Administration Service of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12555828-24-CN .

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) serves in Health Administration as the support clerk for the Community Based Outpatient Clinics, Emergency Department, Inpatient Wards and Reception. The MSA serves as receptionist for all persons reporting for medical care or for general specific information and will direct persons to the proper source of information for various clinics and/or services located though out the medical center. Determines and verifies eligibility and explains the requirements for medical care through the VA Medical Center. Interviews Veterans and prepares applications for medical benefits. The MSA performs typing and computer entry functions as necessary to perform all duties of this position and will be expected to prepare patient data cards. The primary duties of the Medical Support Assistant may include but are not limited to: Ensuring that all registration requests are properly entered in the computer and that appropriate disposition of all requests are done daily. Performs inpatient admission processing ensuring that proper identification of patient is obtained before admitting patient. Monitoring patient waiting areas to detect emergency situations and calling for immediate medical attention when necessary. Answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit/clinic, 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/ward. Monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments [in] areas of responsibility. Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments. Coordinating 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.). Providing knowledge of Means Test processes, counsel's patients regarding eligibility, co-payments, and other facets of Intake/Access area. Resolving patient complaints whenever possible. Processing paperwork, filing, coordinating outpatient activities with the various physicians and clinics and centralized scheduling. Including interpreting, and verifying provider orders, assignments, ensuring encounter forms are completed to obtain appropriate workload credit. interpreting and communicating requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities and assist in training other MSAs. Utilizing the Electronic Waiting List accurately in a timely manner. Notifying supervisors when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes. Reviewing Consults(medical/provider) daily, active/pending text orders, Encounter reports, Electronic Wait List, Recall list, and Audio care communications for accuracy and disposition. Work Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm; May vary based on needs of the service. To be discussed upon call to interview. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: GS-5: 00112-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for each grade level. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. GS-05: (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level. To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your resume that you have experience that includes the ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds, ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation, knowledge of basic medical terminology and skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests. OR, (b) Education. Four years of education above high school. Transcript must be submitted. (c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for 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 scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; 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.). (d) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. Skill in customer service with ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. **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-05. Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation. 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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Corey Noble
• Phone: 228-243-9883
• Email: [email protected]