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Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VISN 19; VA Health Oklahoma City VA Health Care System

Summary

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

This position serves as a Supervisory Medical Support Assistant for the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System. The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) monitors and makes work assignments, evaluates performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/13/2026 to 05/26/2026
Salary
$62,384 - $81,096 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Oklahoma City, OK
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSU-12959808-26-JL
Control number
869253000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO current permanent Federal employees within the Veterans Health Administration 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

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Duties for the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant include but are not limited to:

  • Full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor or equivalent administrative patient support staff in the facility.
  • Evaluating the work of subordinate staff.
  • Resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met.
  • Evaluating new products, equipment and systems to make recommendations for improved operations.
  • Identifying educational or training needs.
  • Making final decisions on hiring selections.
  • Evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
  • Works collaboratively with VISN programs, services, and interprofessional coordinated care team members to provide access to care and meet the needs of Veterans via various available contact modalities to include but not limited to telephone calls, secure messaging, chat, text messaging and video.
  • The incumbent has administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the subordinate lead, supervisor and MSA's activities.
  • Responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports to senior management in support of tracking measures.
  • Provides information and resolution to Veterans' requests within scope by using administrative judgement to escalate symptomatic concerns to clinicians within the facility or directs the contact to the appropriate discipline within department for resolution.
  • Screens incoming contacts and independently routes the contacts to the appropriate area for resolution.
  • Uses advanced knowledge of health care process as it relates to access of care to ensure Veteran appointment scheduling is efficient, operational and prioritized to maintain Veteran flow and clinic readiness.
  • Utilizes various software, hardware system products, and data portals to transfer and capture information electronically for the support of the daily operation of the unit.
  • Operates within the various contact modalities to receive and respond to incoming and outgoing contacts using computerized interfaces and telecommunications hardware and software.
  • Provides accurate details of organizational information to Veterans regarding the different services the VA offers.
  • Provides high-quality customer service to Veterans and their families/caregivers.
  • Communicates tactfully and effectively to customers. Resolves Veteran complaints as appropriate.
  • The Supervisory MSA is accountable to a designated manager or other immediate supervisor who provides the administrative oversight, work assignment, management of time and leave and completion of all aspects of the performance evaluation.
  • The Supervisory MSA works collaboratively with all levels of VA leadership and services within and outside of the VHA and VISN as well as non-VA health care entities which provide care to patients.
  • The incumbent should be proficient in interpreting guidelines to apply to specific cases, or problems.
  • Use discretion and initiative to decide on the appropriate course of action.
  • The Supervisory MSA can work independently, make decisions based on training, guidelines, processes and/or regulations.
  • It is the incumbent's responsibility to maintain confidentiality of information in carrying out required duties.
  • Performs duties as assigned to ensure efficient and effective operations.
  • Other related duties may be assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: as determined by the agency policy and supervisor's discretion.
Remote: This is not a remote position.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 52148-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 identification 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

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.
  • Experience: None
  • Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
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).

Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:
  1. 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.
  2. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates:

Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. (Creating daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings; assisting with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources; 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 level staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.)

AND

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and 13 empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
  2. Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.
  3. 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.
  4. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.
  5. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.
Preferred Experience: N/A

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. While working in the nursing units or ED, physical demands include walking, getting up and down from sitting to retrieve various items and carrying items such as papers, folders, belongings, etc. Crouching and bending is required to file documents and attend to supply needs. Although constant demands, such as continually ringing telephones and continual work interruptions by staff and patients, sometimes make it very difficult for the medical support assistant to leave the work area for even a short period of time. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Education

IMPORTANT: If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript with your application.

If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision:

  • Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official)

Additional information

NOTICE ON TRIAL/PROBATIONARY PERIODS:

The first year of continuous service in the same or similar position of a preference eligible in the excepted service is a trial period. The first 2 years of continuous service in the same or similar position of an individual in the excepted service (other than a preference eligible), is a trial period.

At least 60 days prior to the end of each employee's initial probationary or trial period, management officials shall, to the extent practicable, meet to discuss the employee's performance and conduct (based in part on input from the employee's supervisor), the needs of the agency, and whether their continued employment would advance the public interest, the organizational goals of the agency, and the efficiency of the service.

Within 30 days prior to the end of each employee's probationary or trial period, management officials shall determine whether to finalize the employee's appointment to the Federal service, or whether to terminate their service. Before the employee is terminated, they shall be notified in writing of the effective date of the action.

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

  1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
  2. Current permanent Veterans Health Administration employees
  3. Current permanent Veterans Affairs employees
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.

NOTE: Waiver of Veterans Preference for Occupational Series GS-0679.

Although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. VA, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations among those reported to have the largest staffing shortages.

Veterans Preference has been waived for the GS-0679 Occupational Series through September 30, 2026.


Ref: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER (OCHCO) BULLETIN. Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages: Dated September 25, 2025.

Veterans Health Administration

Interested in a career that offers a true work-life balance? Look no further! The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System offers a balance of professional and clinical complexity that stimulates growth yet, it also allows the professional an opportunity to enjoy life outside of work. If you are interested in a career that offers an integrated patient-centered approach while providing compassionate and state of the art care to Veterans, we welcome you to apply. By serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans, we fulfill President Lincoln's promise, "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."

The VA is in Oklahoma City, which offers a vibrant arts culture with rich historical influences along with the amenities of an urban city. Not many urban areas can claim as much outdoor diversity but with more than 250 days of sunshine each year, many activities are year-around. OKC offers the perfect mix of social vibe, modern businesses and family life making it an ideal location to start a career, raise a family, or ease into retirement.

The VA offers a teaching hospital, with state-of-the-art technology, education and research, making this hospital an ideal career choice for many clinical and administrative professionals. The 192-bed facility that serves a population of 81,000 has numerous specialized programs in addition to the comprehensive health care.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
719-227-4600
Email
V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV
Address
VA Oklahoma City Health Care System
921 Northeast 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US

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