Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The mission essential incumbent(s) is responsible for assuring accurate, complete, and timely appointment management and the coordination of all administrative information between the professional staff and the patient. This includes updating and verifying demographic information, scheduling face-to-face (F2F), virtual, and non-traditional appointments, collecting insurance information, data entry and extraction, administratively managing consultation requests, clinical electronic waiting list, and notifying the patient, or designee, of his/her scheduled appointment or changes in clinic scheduling (ex. face-to-face appointment converted to Telehealth appointment or other non-traditional appointment).

The incumbent(s) provides essential administrative clinic management and scheduling support to Physicians, Physician's Assistants, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Dietitians, Social Workers, and other administrative and professional staff throughout the service area. The outpatient program requires administrative scheduling and appointment coordination for diagnostic testing, and consultative appointments, diagnostic and medical procedures for multiple clinical services. The mission essential incumbent(s) must provide excellent customer service and must adhere to VA local, National and Service policies and procedures. This mission essential position of an MSA at this grade level must possess a degree of customer service i.e., tact, poise, diplomacy must be used in dealing with Veterans F2F who may have multiple health problems and may be frustrated with the diagnosis process. A caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining VA procedures to the Veteran and family members in a F2F environment. This mission essential position of an MSAs must work in a multi-screen computer environment and must be able to use VistA and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) screens bilaterally. (Example: when a consult is received, the patient's information is displayed in VistA.) The incumbent should be able to access CPRS on a separate screen, go to the consult, sign off on the electronic signature and book the appointment. MSAs must assure that providers or techs have ordered labs and x-rays so the appropriate appointment may be made. MSA must be proficient in typing, possessing speed, accuracy, and proper grammar, due to the significant amount of documentation. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Greeting and establish direct eye contact, be audible, choose words well, and listen with respect to the Veteran, their family, or their designee
• Interacting with both internal and external customer
• Establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records Verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system
• Accurately obtaining medical information from patients
• Coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services
• Scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines
• Maintaining a high-level of telephone communication skills (listening, interpreting, evaluating)

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

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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.
• 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 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 - Equivalent combination of experience and education.
• 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 3j.

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).GS-05 (Full Performance) - One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 ~OR~ -4 years of education above High School and candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

1. Ability to 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. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
6. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standards, GS-0679, dated August 1, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 5.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but may include long periods of standing, sitting and some walking and bending. Time will be spent at a computer terminal performing various keyboard functions. While work is not extremely physical in nature the incumbent will work under pressure with multiple tasks, changing priorities and stringent deadlines. Work is performed in an indoor setting with close proximity to other staff members. The employee is not generally subject to unusual exposure, risk, or discomfort but certain safety precautions may be necessary. This mission essential position of MSA work is generally performed in a temperature-controlled environment with adequate lighting throughout the workplace. Certain safety precautions will be set in place, as necessary, in times of natural disasters, pandemic, or other emergency contingency planning needs as the position is considered as mission-essential support. Work may also include periods of travel.

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.