Intermittent Medical Support Assistant

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement until December 31st, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The VA NJ Healthcare System has multiple intermittent vacancies for a Medical Support Assistant position with the Community Care unit at the East Orange & Lyons VAMC.

Duties

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is a staff position located under the Medical Administrative Services (MAS) at VA NJ Health Care System (VA NJHCS). The VA NJHCS is an integrated level of two (comprehensive healthcare) facilities: East Orange & Lyons, and ten Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located throughout the State. Duties include but are not limited to: The MSA required duties include receiving, admitting, scheduling, & providing assistance & direction to Veterans seeking medical care. The MSA also functions as a fully qualified typist & possesses excellent communication skills. Assures all practice areas are adequately covered, the assigned workload is accomplished within the time frame allotted by setting priorities and meeting deadlines, adjusting the flow, and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs and ensures that each patient is courteously served. Participates in and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple i/A's or those who have care in the community) and bringing it to the attention of the provider. The incumbent demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care of a group of patients. Works collaboratively with community care clinical team to ensure the completion of all steps necessary for timely access to care in community for approval care. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating care and communicating with the Third-Party Administrator (TPA-Optum) during the entire process from beginning to end. The incumbent will be responsible in ensuring that documents related to the Veterans care from the community are scanned into CPRS in a timely manner. The incumbent is responsible for the following: monitoring, trending, and analyzing data, interpreting VA handbooks and directives regarding access/performance improvement/ patient flow issues; collaborates with the facility Access Coordinator; monitors progress of reviews and follow up on action items to ensure completion in a timely manner. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 4 hour tours may vary depending on the needs of the service. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Telework: Ad-Hoc Functional Statement #: 24924F

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Experience. No experience required. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Level GS-3 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR Education. One year of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. i. 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. ii. 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. iv. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. GS-5 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR Education. Two years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: i. 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. ii. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. iii. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. iv. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. v. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally [in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. vi. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. 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 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

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/.