Clarification from the agency

Internal to VHA. Due to provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7412, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages. Veterans' Preference DOES NOT apply. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

- Responsible for managing Human Resource aspects of service operations, including hiring process, disciplinary action and Labor/Management relations. Responsible for resource management and distribution, assessing staffing levels and needs, space planning, and assessing equipment and technology needs along with corresponding requests for needed resources.
- Prepares performance plans and performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancements and ensuring new hires are properly vetted. Incumbent monitor's staff competencies and updates staff competency folders in accordance with all regulatory guidelines and identifying continuing education and training needs.
- Skillful in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Complies with and ensures that Department of Veterans Affairs EEO guidelines are followed within the Service.
- Supervise, direct and manage a diverse MSA staff and is involved to on-the-job team problem solving; developing, implementing and evaluating improvements to work processes and identifying continuing training needs. Supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the incumbent's Service and other Services.
- Responsible for a full range of functions associated with the daily operation of the assigned clinic, ensuring that referrals for the section are processed, treatments are provided, and documentation is completed according to TJC, CARF and service policies.
- Provides advanced professional oversight and consultation to MSA staff and evaluates complex processes with great autonomy. Incumbent develops and implements new processes and provides guidance for MSA staff.
- Consults with medical staff through patient presentations, clinics and confer.
- Responsible to continually evaluate the success of ongoing improvement projects programs and recognizes the need for new programs. As the need for new programs is identified, the incumbent must develop and initiate new treatment programs which apply current research finding.
- Monitor's inventory, projects equipment and supply need for treatments and submits requests of those if indicated.
- Responsible safe operations of the clinic, ensuring the safe environment, the work area is secured, and equipment is clean.
- Possesses subject matter knowledge of the organization and Service in order to respond to requests, inquiries, problems, and to identify and communicate any discrepancies in scheduling or improperly completed orders. Incumbent must be able to follow extensive guides in form of instructions, manuals, regulations, and precedents that apply to the work. Incumbent uses own judgment in locating and selecting appropriate guidelines, policies, procedures, and other sources and adapts them according to the circumstances of the specific situation.
- Responsible for data collection and validation. He/she will ensure that encounter errors (e.g., open encounters) and appointment wait time errors are corrected timely. He/she will also ensure that consults are addressed by staff in a timely manner. This will include setting goals, assigning and reviewing work, setting deadlines, and taking corrective action when goals are not me

Work Schedule: Full Time 40 hours a week. Exact work schedule to be discussed during interview.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 a background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• 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 Policy.
• Experience and Education:
  • 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,
  • 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.

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: No less than one (1) year of prior or current supervisory experience.

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-08

• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  • Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.
  • Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.
  • Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.
  • Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.
  • Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117, PART II, APPENDIX G45 Dated August 1, 2019; Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. https://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with prolonged periods of sitting. The work requires moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, standing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; ability to read without strain; ability to hear the whispered voice with or without hearing aid; emotional & mental stability.

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.