Clarification from the agency

Open to Southern Nevada Healthcare Employees only.

Major duties include, but not limited to:

• Conducts in-service training as needed, shares knowledge of new policies, procedures, or changes in the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System activities.
• Coordinates with Supervisor to achieve a program of on-going training and competency maintenance for outpatient Advanced Medical Support Assistants to stimulate individual personal growth and development opportunities.
• Report to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of outpatient MSAs, and on disciplinary problems observed during the course of the workday.
• Check on work in progress or spot check work not requiring review (filing) and review completed work to verify that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.
• Responsible for coordinating with the professional staff on all administrative matters. Instrumental in the orientation of new staff to the administrative policies and procedures of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System.
• Make informational suggestions to supervisor concerning promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, team and personnel needs.
• Provides administrative assistance and support to Supervisory Medical Administration Specialist during scheduled and unscheduled absences and acts as an assistant to the Supervisory Medical Administrative Specialist for completion of MSA scheduling, timekeeping, certification of AMSA competencies, as well as preparation of reports and audits as indicated by leadership.
• A thorough knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations and local policies regarding entitlement for care in the clinics is required. This knowledge is utilized when providing recommendations to the clinical staff that are able to determine appropriate treatment plans based on this information.
• Expert level of knowledge of all aspects of the outpatient AMSA duties. This includes knowledge of the Computerized Patient Record system and VSE (VISTA Scheduling Enhancement). Knowledge of the verification of doctor's orders, including medication orders, diet, lab tests, x-rays and procedure orders, travel, transfer and discharge orders is essential as well as specific duties and requirements.
• Knowledge of business rules pertaining to veteran eligibility and financial assessment requirements.
• Expert level knowledge of the Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as well as local, VISN and VHA privacy policies and directives to make accurate legal decisions pertaining to the "release of information" from patient charts.
• Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information. Otherwise, works independently making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performs duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required.
• Expert knowledge of the VistA system options and menus afforded Inpatient Medical Support Assistants at all grades.
• High level knowledge of medical terminology is essential to understand and transcribe doctor's orders and to fill out forms with correct and pertinent information.
• Knowledge of time management techniques in order to assess priorities or workload, telephone calls, and general ward activity so that work is accomplished efficiently and in order of importance.
• Knowledge of combination skills in order to teach new employees their duties and to inform professional staff of administrative procedures.
• Expert knowledge of outpatient clinical services available in order to arrange proper follow-through of patient treatment plans including the scheduling of outpatient follow up medical appointments and ancillary tests. Must have ability to make travel arrangements for the first outpatient visit when appropriate and coordinate travel arrangements for transfers to other hospitals, therapy treatment and other appointments off station.
• Expert knowledge of types of orders written by physicians, e.g., diets, test, medications, activity plans, transfers, request for records, so that orders can be verified in the computer.
• Must have high level computer skills to verify physician orders and to accomplish a variety of tasks done on the computer.
• Expert knowledge of Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), VSE (Vista Scheduling Enhancement) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Must also have ability to understand and utilize Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Microsoft Outlook at a minimum.

Work Schedule: To be Determined
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:00806F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

a. 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 to 38U.S.C. § 7407(a).

b. Experience. None.

c. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

d. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None.

e. 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 reentry to the occupation.

f. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

g. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

h. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-07.

(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community.

(b) Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.

(c) Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.


(d) Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.

(e) Ability to provide staff development and training.

(f) Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.

(3) Assignment. For all Lead assignments the Lead MSA must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties. The Lead MSA is
responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for
daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of
MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow
processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include but are not
limited to 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 staff, patients, and other
interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the 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.