Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent Federal Employees with first area of consideration being the employees of the Charles George VA Medical Center followed by employee of the Department of Veterans Administration and all other Federal Employees. Note that employees in the Excepted Service from other Federal Agencies must meet the requirements under the OPM Interchange Agreement to be considered eligible for this announcement.

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The primary duties and responsibilities of the Lead Medical Support Assistant includes but is not limited to the following:

• Lead MSAs are responsible for leadership of outpatient medical support assistants. The Lead MSA provides comprehensive, detailed, on-the-job training to all new clinic personnel in the clinic unit area.
• The mission of this section is to provide administrative and clerical assistance, guidance, and support to the professional staff and to manage the day-to-day activity in Outpatient Clinics using established policies and procedures as they relate to
  ambulatory care outpatient clinics.
• The incumbent functions as a Lead Medical Support Assistant under the direct supervision of the On-Site Administrative Officer.
• Incumbent is responsible to the Supervisor for assuring that the work of their assigned teams is carried out by performing a range of coordinating and supportive duties and responsibilities.
• The incumbent is expected to organize work, delegate tasks, and set priorities to meet deadlines.
• The incumbent articulates and communicates to the team the assignments, projects, or problems to be solved, or other events or issues that need attention or review, and deadlines or timeframes for completion.
• Ensures that all team members are aware of, empowered and participate in planning for achievements for team goals and objectives.
• The incumbent is responsible to make personnel assignments and to ensure that adequate coverage of assigned clinics is always maintained.
• The incumbent is responsible for assisting with the development of materials and maintaining a current and comprehensive training program assigned to keep assigned employees informed of all changes in policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

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

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:

a. Citizenship.Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
b. Experience and Education
.(1) Experience. Six months experience of clerical, office, [customer service], or other [administrative] work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; OR
(2) Education. One year above high school; OR,
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
c. Certification. None required.
d. Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, [which] are [a] part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or [changed to a lower grade] within the occupation.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) If an employee who was converted to [Title] 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
e. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.
f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
g. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.

Physical Requirements:

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, resume, 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.