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Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Alexandria VA Health Care System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position(s) serves as the direct line supervisor for the Lead Medical Support Assistant(s) and all Medical Support Assistant (MSA) staff and is a foundational role within the VHA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) initiative and all interdisciplinary clinics that support the initiative to include Specialty, Mental Health and Call Center.

If you are a current, permanent Federal employee, you should apply under CBST-11441619-22-LSW.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/30/2022 to 05/03/2022
Salary
$49,549 to - $64,410 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Alexandria, LA
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
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBST-11441623-22-LSW
Control number
645430900

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Duties

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The Supervisory MSA plans and directs programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and has full supervisory responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to:

  • assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff
  • resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met
  • evaluating new products, equipment, and systems in order to make recommendations for improved operations
  • identifying educational or training needs
  • making final decisions on selections for recruitment
  • evaluating performance, taking disciplinary action, and the initiation of ER/LR actions when necessary
  • monitoring staff in probationary status for suitability of continued Federal Employment
  • planning and directing the MSAs' activities
  • extracting and analyzing data in order to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • 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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • 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:

  • 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 Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
  • Certification. None required.
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English Language Proficiency. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the Basic Requirements, the following must be met and demonstrated in your resume that you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed.

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-08
(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. **Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.**(b) Assignment. Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics. They have full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor, or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: 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. The employee 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.
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below for the GS-08 level:
  • 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.
Preferred Criteria:
  1. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology
  2. Advanced knowledge of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.
  3. Advanced knowledge and experience with patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. (CPRS, VISTA, VISTA GUI)
  4. Advanced computer skills to include experience in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
  5. Organized in setting priorities, and delegating tasks/responsibilities to meet deadlines.
  6. Experienced in communicating with individuals and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care teams.
  7. Experienced in providing staff development and training
  8. Experienced in managing staffing requirements, managing workflow priorities, and adjusting the flow of work to meet team and patient needs.
  9. Ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrates an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.
References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard

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

Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of the call volume or due to a patient complaint/concern.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, 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.

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.

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