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LEAD MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Lead MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e. PACT, Specialty Clinic) and performs all related duties; customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients and assure appointment schedules are maintained by AMSA/MSA staff for one or more outpatient clinics.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 05/24/2023
Closed date: 06/14/2023
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$46,696 - $62,215 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
CAZM-11978900-23-JV
Control number
727466500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is an external job announcement. All applicants applying under this external announcement Current permanent VA employees, and current permanent Federal employees must apply under internal announcement CAZM-11978901-23-JV

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Duties

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a. Ongoing, continuous care of one or more assigned panel(s) of Veterans.
b. Utilizing all available tools, such as registries, to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual patients and cohorts.
c. Ensuring appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to the patient panel.
d. Functioning at the full extent of the team member's relevant clinical privileges, credentials, scopes of practice, elements of practice, certification, functional statement, position description, or other VHA or local facility approved documentation of competency.
e. Participating in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients.
f. Implementing primary care operations management processes, as appropriate.
g. Managing communications and facilitating safe transitions of patients between the interdisciplinary coordinated/PACT's site of care and other health care settings, using informal and formal communication methods, as appropriate.
h. Engaging patients in using health care, encouraging patients to engage personal support persons, receiving input from patients and personal support persons regarding VA care.
i. Using formal and informal communications that are respectful, effective, timely, and bidirectional with all team members (including the patient and personal support persons) to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the patient.
j. Collaborating with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized, electronically supported, standardized, tools to support interdisciplinary coordinated/PACT care delivery processes (e.g., pre-visit reminder calls, post-hospitalization follow-up calls, recall scheduling procedures, new patient orientation, disease registries and primary care protocols for chronic disease management).
k. Providing clerical support and administrative functions to interdisciplinary coordinated/PACT staff.
l. Collaborating with interdisciplinary coordinated/PACT staff to incorporate the logistical elements of care coordination into comprehensive care management plans.
m. Providing guidance and direction to patients and personal support persons for navigating the VA health care system and administrative functions in VA.
n. Coordinating care for patients assigned to the interdisciplinary coordinated/PACT.

other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: M-F 0730-1600, 0800-1630
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English
  • Experience: Six month of experience of clerical, office or other 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
  • Combination Experience/Education. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
Grade Determinations:
GS-0679-07 Lead Medical Support Assistant
(a) Experience
: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.
(b) Assignment. The Lead MSA [is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.] For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  • Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.
  • Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
  • Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
  • Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect [and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff
  • Ability to provide staff development and training.
  • Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.
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).

Preferred Experience:
  • PE 1. 6 months to 1year or more of creditable experience using VISTA, CPRS, VISTA GUI, and/or other VHA electronic health record.
  • PE 2. 1 year or more of administrative experience - health care settings preferred
  • PE 3. Knowledge of HIPPA, Release of Information and other applicable laws and regulations
  • PE 4. Have a high degree of customer service, poise, and diplomacy. Have a caring, compassionate and be observant when interacting with Veterans, family members, and employee or peers. Must be respectful and have knowledge of a High Reliability Organization (HRO) and be able to demonstrate this experience.
  • PE 5. Work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
  • PE. 6. Experience in medical terminology.
  • PE. 7. Ability to lead people
References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679 Veterans Health Administration August 1, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs - Central Texas Health Care System is located in Temple, Texas, centrally located between Austin and Dallas. It is one of the VA's largest integrated health care systems with facilities in Austin, Brownwood, Cedar Park, Palestine, Bryan-College Station and Waco. Texas has no State Income Tax.

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) is a Complexity Level 1A medical center facility with over 4,000 employees which serves 39 counties in Central Texas and consists of two hospitals located in Temple and Waco; one clinic in Austin; four community based outpatient clinics in Brownwood, Cedar Park, College Station, and Palestine; a community living center (CLC) situated at each of the Temple and Waco campuses; one domiciliary in Temple; a Blind Rehabilitation Unit in Waco; a rehabilitation unit for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Waco and Serious Mental Illness Life Empowerment (SMILE) in Waco; a rural community outreach clinic in La Grange; and an outpatient clinic annex in Temple. It also has employees at two Vet Centers in Austin and Harker Heights, and a VA-DoD Sleep Clinic in Killeen.

Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
Email
VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov
Address
VA Central Texas Health Care System
1901 Veterans Memorial Drive
Temple, TX 76504
US

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