Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Applicants will be referred in the following order: 1. Current, permanent employees of VA Puget Sound facilities. 2. Current, permanent employees of the Dept of VA. 3. Current, permanent employees of other federal agencies. Veterans' Preference: Does not apply to this announcement per OCHCO Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages, dated September 25,2025

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The Supervisory MSA is responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective administrative support of the Clinic Manager/Administrative Officer of Primary Care Clinic in the operations of all administrative programs and elements in the General Medicine Service. S/he has the responsibility for taking a leadership role in developing tools that enhance the organizational and managerial functioning of General Medicine Services.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Supervises all MSA's assigned to Primary Care Clinic at their respective location.
• Prepares, documents and submits to the Clinic Manager, all mid-term and end of year employee performance evaluations within established timelines.
• Ensures timely completion of all required staff training utilizing TMS for MSA's.
• Conducts annual scheduler supervisory audits to ensure compliance with all scheduling directives and provide corrective action as necessary.
• Coordinates clinic set up for Primary Care outpatient clinics such that capacity meets demand and all VHA directives for access are met.
• Gathers demand information through evaluation of consult requests and population demographics.
• Obtains and tracks data for clinic visits, no-shows, cancellations, clinical reminders and encounter data for the entire clinic. any errors, inconsistencies or trends to the Clinic Manager, and appropriate medical center personnel (Health plan management, Coding, HIMS, etc) so that corrections can be made, which increases the compliance rate of performance measures.
• Develops and maintains computerized database which reflects the monitoring of these measures.
• Monitors scheduled leave requests for primary care providers, MSA's and ensures coverage for staff who are absent. Coordinates rescheduling of patients and grid closures with PACT team MSA's and Clinic Manager. Incumbent will submit, create, edit and track Primary Care clinic provider grid changes and requests.
• Provides grid modification, closure, and restoration administrative support for Seattle, American Lake and all other outlying primary care clinics.
• Coordinates with staff rotation schedules that coincide with program requirements.
• Changes clinic dates as requested by the Management due to sudden and unforeseen reassignments in schedules and contacts patients using a wide variety of methods for notification of appointments.
• Assists the Clinic and Data Manager in monitoring the workload of the clinic.
• Ensures all workload is captured through reviewing the No Action Taken List and clinical reminders list by Health Plan Management.
• Works with providers to find the appropriate diagnostic and procedure codes. He/she makes suggestions to improve the processes of this department to increase the ability of providers to efficiently use their time.

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.

• 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.

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
  • 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
• 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 verification of the education requirement if not covered under the 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)

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-08.

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07).
  • Leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • 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, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679. Published August 1, 2019

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8.

Preferred Experience: Prior Leadership Supervisory experience

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing or walking however, there are no physical requirements for the 0679 Medical Support Assistant occupation.

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.