The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) position in the Community Care department works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. The AMSA provides specialized and expert clerical and administrative patient support in the coordination, care, and treatment provided to patients through the Community Care processing procedures at VA Central Iowa Health Care System, which includes the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs).

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides specialized and expert administrative care coordination and patient support. Works independently and requires infrequent or direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor. Works closely with clinical personnel to ensure patients receive timely scheduled care and follow up in their local community. Requires specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across all disciplines and specialties through community care. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines and expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Processes incoming patient messages through secure messaging and care requests through My HealthEVet, and coordinates with care team as appropriate. Participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage, plan, problem solve, and follow up with patient care by sharing information and collaborating with interdisciplinary team. Sets priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Assists staff on community care policies and procedures. Enters appropriate information into the electronic record. Manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues. Evaluates and triages scheduling to meet recommendations by clinician in regards to urgency of the referrals. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available - regularly teleworks 3+ days per pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: a. 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. b. Experience and Education. 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 positions for which both education and experience are acceptable. c. Certification. None required. d. 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: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation. 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. 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. e. 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. f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. GS-6 MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT (ADVANCED) REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Equivalent experience includes, not is not limited to: Advising clinical staff on current administrative processes; answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside and outside of the unit; interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with national scheduling guidelines; scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments 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 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; and coordinating administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determining appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status. AND (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must be able to 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 organizes 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: See VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G, page II-G45-4 & II-G45-5

Education

Educational substitute not eligible for this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Sonya Hill
• Phone: (334) 590-9982
• Email: [email protected]