Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant is in the Clinical Contact Center of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Position is assigned to Ozark VA Clinic, Arkansas. Selectee must be located in the catchment area (within 2 hours) to one of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) community-based outpatient clinics or main facility in the event there is a power outage or internet loss and for meetings or trainings.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e. PACT, Specialty Clinics, Compensation & Pension (C&P), and performs clerical duties, customer service and other duties as assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients. The primary duties of the Advanced Medical Support Assistant may include but are not limited to: Communicate with the patient, interdisciplinary teams, VA Medical Center, and other agencies. Manage a system of follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc. Processes incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealthyVet (MHV) 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 the interdisciplinary team. Setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers; as needed. Assists the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions. Enters appropriate information into the electronic record. Monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure. Ensures correct and update insurance information is captured. Manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues. Evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment. Informs team members about shared patients (i.e., those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community). Schedules/reschedules, cancels, no shows, or add on appointments utilizing VSE software. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm or 9:00am - 5:30pm. Schedule subject to change based on needs of facility. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 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: Available. Medical Support Assistants in the Clinical Contact Center were granted a 180-day mid-term extension from RTO for clinical staff. This position is currently 100% telework, and exempted from returned to office requirements. Exempted positions are reviewed annually and do not imply permanent telework work status. Subject to change based on the needs of the organization, in which case office space would be assigned by Supervisor at a local VA Facility/CBOC or Federal Agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00115-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Basic Requirements United States 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 and Education. (1) Experience. No experience required (2) Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Certification. None required. English Language Proficiency. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. To qualify for the GS-06 level, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-06 (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. (b) Assignment. The Advanced MSA performs difficult and responsible specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.). (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, you must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs in your resume: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. 4. Abil