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Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
James A. Haley VA Medical Center

Summary

The James A. Haley VA Medical Center Dental Service provides care to both outpatients and inpatients at the Temple Terrace VA Clinic. The Dental Service provides comprehensive, focused care and consultative services to the eligible Veteran population. The complexity of care provided at these locations includes: general dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, oral & maxillofacial prosthodontics, and periodontics. This care is provided by staff dentists and specialty providers.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/05/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 5, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$45,409 - $59,031 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTC-12959884-26-TC
Control number
870357700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to US Citizens. 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

General Duties
1) Coordinates and maintains overall patient flow of Dental Clinic Teams.

Receives patients and visitors in person or telephonically. Records and relays messages and/or redirects calls as necessary. Incumbent refers urgent messages and patient information for immediate action. Obtains identifying information and determines the nature of the visit/call. Insures eligibility for care and contacts appropriate staff member for verification, when necessary. Incumbent creates clinic scheduling matrices. Schedules appointments and provides information regarding clinic and hospital policies, procedures and locations to patients, family members, staff, etc..

2) Supports the Dental Service Chief's administrative obligations
Designs, collects and follows Advanced Clinic Access/System Redesign/Continuous Quality Improvement projects from clinical and administrative activities and participates in identifying areas for which continued or new monitoring is needed as well as monitors that no longer require attention.

3) Dental Service Productivity
Incumbent serves as Dental Service Point of Contact of dental fee basis programs. Participates in referrals for Non VA Clinical Care (NVCC). Liaises between private fee dentists, patients, NVCC claims examiners and Chief, Dental Service to ensure proper documentation is completed and plans are approved.

Essential Service-Specific Resource Roles:
1) Education Liaison for Dental Service
Keeps staff informed of the status of their education requirements. Tracks performed education by all dental staff.
2) Patient Advocate Liaison
Incumbent assists in handling patient complaints and inquiries. Identifies cases which require a higher level of input and refers to appropriate person.
3) Assists staff with hardware and software computer support needs and interacts with Service ADPAC.
4) Dental Service Administrative Support
Utilizes word processing, spreadsheet and PowerPoint functions of the personal computer, prepares letter and memorandum correspondence; acts as Timekeeper; routes mail; screens telephone calls and answers all but those which require the Chief's attention; takes minutes of staff meetings; independently collects and collates necessary data and completes and appropriately routes forms for equipment purchase, employee recruitment, employee travel, personnel action and irregular tour of duty. Inputs and tracks work order requests.
5) Dental Failed and No Show Appointments
Incumbent communicates with those who have excessive failed and no-show appointments. Strives to maintain Missed Opportunities below the 10% benchmark.
6) Contracted Services Liaison
Maintains work schedules and patient flow for contracted in-service dental providers. Incumbent coordinates between homeless program counselors and vocational rehabilitation counselors. Regularly prepares production reports and cost analysis reports. Coordinates, receives and verifies invoices for contract lab costs. Maintains database utilized for case tracking and lab expenditures.
7) Service Level Safety Officer Assistant
Attends coordinator meetings, disseminates newest information, policy and codes. Arranges appropriate training with Facility Safety Officer, Occupational Health, GEMS coordinator and/or Industrial Hygienist to ensure patient and employee safety.
8) MSDS Database Coordinator Assistant
Surveys clinic for products requiring MSDS documentation in on-line database. Uploads said information.
9) Inventory and Supply Coordinator
Maintains sufficient office supplies and ensures functioning office equipment. Conducts annual inventory of office, dental and lab equipment.
10) Records Control Officer
Maintains, scans and routes dental records to appropriate personnel.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70223F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 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

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: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according with VA Policy.
  • Experience: None.
  • Education: High school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR General Education Development equivalency certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official).
  • Licensure/Certification/Registration. None
  • Grandfathering Provision. 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).
  • 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.
Grade Determinations: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level that equips the candidate with the following:
  1. 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;
  2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients;
  3. Schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting;
  4. Work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work;
  5. Communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers;
  6. Customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  • (1) 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.
  • (2) Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
  • (3) Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and 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.
  • (4) 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.
  • (5) 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.
  • (6) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of the language utilized by clinicians.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, dated August 1, 2019. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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

Physical Requirements: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking; standing, and carrying light items are required. Light filing, sometimes involving working close to the floor, is involved. Wrist and back protection can be provided to minimize the risks associated with prolonged use of automated data processing equipment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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

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.

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.

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.

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?

Located in the heart of Tampa Bay, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital & Clinics (JAHVH) is one of the busiest and most complex VA health care systems in the nation with 499 operating beds and eight outpatient clinics spanning four counties. As one of the largest VA teaching facilities, JAHVH is affiliated with the University of South Florida and 89 other affiliations. The 499-operating bed medical center includes hospital med-surgical, acute psychiatry, a Community Living Center, hospice and palliative care, spinal cord injury, a level 1 polytrauma center, pain/rehab, multiple outpatient primary and specialty care services and two domiciliaries. JAHVH also operates a nearby Primary Care Annex, 8 community-based clinics, an all-inclusive offsite mental health facility and a DOD-partnership clinic located in Sabal Park.

Agency contact information

Terrence Clark
Phone
469-785-5997
Email
TERRENCEE.CLARK@VA.GOV
Address
James A Haley Veterans Hospital
13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33612
US

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