Clarification from the agency

Open to All U.S. Citizens, including Current, Permanent VA & other Federal Agency Employees, Former VA & other Federal Agency Employees. Due to provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7412, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages Veterans' Preference DOES NOT apply.

Videos

The MSA was established to ensure assistance to Veterans providing a smooth process for the management of Veteran's outpatient appointments as well as support work of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The MSA coordinates with the Clinical Team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (i.e. Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments. The MSA develops/maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA Medical Centers, and other agencies (e.g. assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities by fax; facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team; develop and manage a tracking system for follow up care as such consults, tests, etc.)

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Instructing employees in the numerous clerical procedures of the different services or any tour of duty.
• is responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality with respect to the Privacy Act.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly work area.
• Serving as a key contact for veterans and visitors, providing information and assistance, and acting on administrative matters in the veterans' interest. Gives messages lo patients, doctors, nurses, other multi-disciplinary team members and responds to routine inquiries (i.e., where a patient has been transferred, appointments, etc.). Refers questions concerning patient's condition to the nurse.
• Incumbent may be designated as a member of committees. Participates in quantitative and qualitative reviews of medical records to assure conformance with VA and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization standards and orients professional staff in requirements for compliance. Such reviews will include verification and completion of physician's orders, patient allergies, and demographics information obtained by routine chart audits.
• Accurately and legibly transcribes physician's orders as per established policies and procedures assuring that the appropriate patient identification is present. Evaluations and treatment with other supporting disciplines within the Medical Center are coordinated for timely completion and to avoid schedule conflicts. In the case of medication/treatment orders, assures that the times the medications/treatments are to be administered are correct and sends a copy to the pharmacists. Prepares request forms for such things as - rays and consultations as prescribed on the doctor's order sheet. Employee will check off, date, time and initial orders verifying completion.
• Orders expendable supplies monthly and stocks main station areas with proper forms when assigned to wards.
• Reviews charts, assembles, and maintains the medical record forms in proper order for use by the physicians and nursing personnel in accordance with Medical Center policy and procedure.
• Keeps current on clerical duties related to final discharge care of patient (i.e., eligibility, travel, appointments, prescriptions, prosthetics, and nursing referrals). Schedules follow-up appointments in the computer system. Responsible for breaking down charts, according to an established protocol for all discharges, assuring that all forms have the appropriate patient demographics. Responsible for recharging carts when appropriate.
• The incumbent will utilize equipment such as computer terminals, printers, typewriters, imprinters, and localized fax machines.
• Routes prescriptions to pharmacy; independently or as a team member, performs the clerical duties of the ward unit relevant to ongoing patient medications and treatments.
• The incumbent will have a thorough knowledge of medication terminology/abbreviations and procedures for recording physicians' orders, especially for identifying generic and brand names of chemical compounds and to accurately transcribe drug names, dosages, and time of administration.
• The incumbent will routinely demonstrate stability and effectively exercise independent judgment. The MSA will foster and consistently maintain good public relations with patients and visitors as well as maintain an effective working relationship with clinicians and other Medical Center staff.
• The MSA will perform other related administrative and clerical 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

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.
• 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.
• Experience and Education:
  • Six months experience: 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
  • Education. One year above high school; or
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

• 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.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• 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.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff] as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

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.