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Medical Support Assistant (Community Care)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

Opening Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Closing Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Applicant Count: 50

This announcement will remain open until the closing date, May 7th, 2026, or when the applicant count is reached, whichever is earlier. The applicant count is the point at which the first 50 applications are received. All applications submitted that day up to 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time on the date the applicant count is reached will be accepted and considered.


Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/28/2026 to 05/07/2026
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$52,923 - $68,799 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Salisbury, NC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBTA-12944193-26-TD
Control number
866908000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Duties

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VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

The Advanced MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within Care in the community. The incumbent assists Veterans by explaining community programs, coordinating their care in the community through various avenues, and providing customer service to be the patient's liaison between the VA Medical Center and the community provider.

Incumbent performs a variety of administrative functions associated with patient care and treatment for Care in the Community services which include inpatient, outpatient, Dental and/or GEC program services. Employee must acquire knowledge of internal organizational procedures, knowledge of various facility services, multiple computer software systems, VA acronyms and abbreviations.

Incumbent creates and issues authorizations for approved care through the Health Share Referral Management System (HSRM), assists with vendor location when needed, and resolves barriers to obtain care in the community to avoid patient care delay. Incumbent coordinates with the Care in the Community team to review consult utilization by using various reports and communication methods to effectively support the needs of the team.
Incumbent coordinates sending, receiving, and routing medical records from community vendors as needed by verifying services utilized by specialty and date of service. The incumbent(s) is responsible for ensuring the proper disposition of Care in the Community consults assigned by making comments as appropriate and placing the consultation in the proper status.

The incumbent(s) is responsible for accurate appointment management and the coordination of all administrative information between the community care vendor and the Veteran. This includes scheduling appointments, data entry, administratively managing consultation requests and the electronic waiting list. Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification of all patients through the use of two forms of identification, name and full Social Security Number. The patient may also present the Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) for identification.
Contact with patients and other staff, the incumbent(s) sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. A high degree of tact and diplomacy is required when dealing with veterans who have multiple health problems and who may be frustrated with the administrative process associated with diagnosis and treatment.

A caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the phone. Incumbent(s) must screen/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established Care in the Community processes.

When records are received, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) by sending the documents utilizing established procedures to the scanning unit location.
Incumbent(s) must be able to interpret and communicate requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities and assist in training others. The Advanced MSA can independently manage position responsibilities with little supervision as well as set priorities and deadlines adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs.
Incumbent develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, other VA medical centers, as required, and other agencies in the interest of assisting with any patient communication.
Other assignments at this level, include, but are not limited to: participating in team huddles and team meetings.

The incumbent will read and respond to work related emails both Vista and Outlook in a timely manner.
Incumbent will complete all required training within established time frames. Incumbent must have knowledge of eligibility for VA Health Eligibility, priorities for care, release of information, Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws, and Non-VA Care programs.

The incumbent must have a solid knowledge of multiple electronic systems and current computer technology regarding imaging applications, Vista application, CPRS, HSRM Microsoft Office Suite applications, and all other applicable programs/software and equipment. Incumbent must also have solid knowledge and can use several types of office equipment to include fax machines, multi-line phone system, printers and copy machines.

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.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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

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:
    • (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.
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).

Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
    • i. Ability to collaborate and communicate [with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met.
    • ii. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
    • iii. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person], and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, [as well as resolving patient concerns.
    • iv. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care.
    • v. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care [administrative functions] to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc.
    • vi. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

Preferred Experience: Experience providing scheduling and administrative support in a healthcare or high value customer service environment. This includes coordinating appointment, managing consults or referrals, processing cancelation and rescheduling requests, and communicating effectively with patients and clinical staff. Experience working in a fast paced setting requiring attention to detail, prioritization of multiple tasks, and use of electronic scheduling record systems while maintaining professionals, confidentiality, and accuracy.
Experience managing high volume appointment schedules resolving scheduling conflicts, providing customer service support to patients, providers, or interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Additional credit may be given for experience in imaging, specialty clinics, or use of electronic health records system such as CPRS, VistA, or similar platforms.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience: Medical/dental clinic experience.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: SeeVA Directive and Handbook 5019. This is mostly a sedentary position. There was be some light lifting up to 25lbs, bending, standing, stooping, walking. This position will require you to work in from of a computer screen for 90% of your day.

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant in the Care in the Community department. The incumbent's work impacts the timely administering aspect of patient care, including: proper eligibility review, timely authorization, coordinating care in the community, ensuring care is scheduled and rendered accordingly, consult management, obtaining and routing proper medical records, and customer service.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized


Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Teamwork


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?

Agency contact information

Tamashia Dixon
Phone
(980) 401-2551
Email
tamashia.dixon@va.gov
Address
WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center
1601 Brenner Avenue
Salisbury, NC 28144
US

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