Advanced Medical Support Assistant


Serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant and provides clerical and administrative support for Primary Care Service. Monitors the status and progress of work, and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise. Provides information via telephone and in person to the general public, members of the professional staff, civilian, and military personnel in response to inquiries regarding appointments. Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.

Some of the duties include, but are not limited to

• Coordinates with the team to review clinic utilization using various reports, ensures that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and makes necessary adjustments.
• Participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care: sets priorities and deadlines, adjusts the flow and sequence of work to meet team and patient needs: works with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions.
• Participates in problem solving. Provides input on operational issues or procedures in team meetings; participates in and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care: informs and educates providers about shared patients (those receiving care at multiple VA locations or in the community); contacts patients to coordinate follow-up care.
• Enters, manipulates, and retrieves information and data from Vista and other clinical information systems as appropriate to area assigned.
• Schedules and coordinates appointments for patients with various clinics, ensuring all treatment requested by the physician has been scheduled, and rescheduling appointments when necessary.
• Explains necessary test preparations to patients.
• Obtains and reviews medical records of patients prior to scheduled appointments.
• Maintains all patients' records, either electronic or paper, according to regulation ensuring each entry contains proper patient and health care provider identification

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Qualifications

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

GS-6: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level of federal service. Examples of experience include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patients' appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.)

There is no educational substitution for GS-6 grade level.

You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1) Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
2) Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels.
3) Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care.
4) Advanced knowledge of managing a clinic. This included independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
5) Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect patient flow, patient care, and the revenue process.
6) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

REFERENCES: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679, available in the local Human Resources Office.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.