Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position is located at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky (UK) Medical Center within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Lexington, KY. The incumbent will be assigned to one of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Berea.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The GS-5 MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to Scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; Preparing for clinic visits ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information Performing basic eligibility, copays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage. Supporting the clinic team in the coordinating and assisting with the appropriate patient flow in the clinic. Work Schedule: Various tours to include weekends, evenings, nights and holidays. Schedule may vary based on patient volume and needs of service. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 31243F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: 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. None. 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical 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). 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: GS-3 Medical Support Assistant Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in a MSA entry-level developmental position. This is an entry level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs at this level will receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. At this level, MSAs apply general rules and policies relating to clinic functions, staff, and automated data processing methods in support of treatment to patients. They utilize a variety of patient data systems in scheduling patients for treatment and annotate patient records. They perform front desk duties, receive telephone call, and visitors to the MSA unit. They make and cancel appointments, review patient records for necessary information, and review patient demographics and insurance verification. They consult with clinic staff when processing physician scheduling and administrative orders. Grade Determinations: GS-4 Medical Support Assistant To qualify at this level, candidates must have: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-3 grade level. Examples of credible experience at this level include, but are not limited to: apply general rules and policies relating to clinic functions, staff, and automated data processing methods in support of treatment to patients, utilize a variety of patient data systems in scheduling patients for treatment and annotate patient records; performs front desk duties, receive telephone call, and visitors to the clinic, make and cancel appointments, review patient records for necessary information, and review patient demographics and insurance verification; and consult with clinic staff when processing physician scheduling and administrative orders. OR, Education. One years of education above high school. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Medical Support Assistant (Full Performance Level) To qualify at this level, candidates must have: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level. Examples of credible experience at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment; interviewing patients for appointments; referring patients to other medical specialty clinics; providing information to patients necessary to resolve policy complaints; interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in we-based applications to collect and verify insurance data; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with national scheduling guidelines OR Education: Two years of education above high school In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. 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. 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. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Support Assistant" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. Preferred Experience: Scheduling experience via computer systems (electron