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Medical Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The purpose of the work is to initiate and follow through on all clerical and related procedures essential to the provision of patient care for the unit/clinic. These include but not limited to providing initial contact with all health care providers and patients on the facility, the recording and reporting of patient information, relaying of calls and information requiring immediate attention, monitoring and scheduling appointments and recording workload.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/22/2022 to 09/28/2022
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$32,570 to - $50,784 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 5
Location
Dallas, TX
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
5
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CAZM-11654689-22-DM
Control number
679041600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all US citizens. If you are a current permanent employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal agency, apply to announcement number CAZM-11654688-22-DM

Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing excellent customer service
  • Serving as the receptionist for the nursing station with the ability to determine the nature of calls and answering questions of visitors to the ward
  • Responding appropriately and assuring that all messages are communicated in a timely manner
  • Handling all patient information in accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act
  • Updating patient demographic, next of kin, emergency contacts utilizing pre-registration in VistA
  • Accurately and timely processing patient information, admits, discharges, appointments and transfers in VistA ADT menus and CPRS according to established training
  • Processing all discharges, transfers to other VA facilities or to private hospitals
  • Verifying and completing text orders
  • Notifying nursing staff of STAT and emergency orders
  • Scheduling, canceling and rescheduling patients' discharge appointments
  • Using established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans
  • Schedule through scheduler coordination to ensure appointments for Veterans
  • Using the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) as well as the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to access information in the facility's computer system
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
This is a Bargaining Unit position.

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.
  • 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:

  • 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:
    • 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
    • Education. One year above high school; OR,
    • 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.
  • Grandfathering Provision: All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
    • Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.
    • 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.
    • If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
  • 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.
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.
Grade Determinations:
Medical Support Assistant, GS-3
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  1. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.
  2. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.
  3. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.
Medical Support Assistant, GS-4
Experience: One year of experience in 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, Education. Two years of education above high school.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  1. Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients.
  2. Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.
  3. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
  4. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.
Medical Support Assistant, GS-5
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level; OR, Education. Four years of education above high school.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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.
Preferred Experience:
  • One-year experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or 4 years of education above high school.
  • Ability to schedule appointments, to include interpreting physician/doctor's orders, rescheduling and cancelling appointments in a clinical setting.
  • Ability to operate computerized programs, multiple computer screens and databases in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports and operate multi-phone line system.
  • Knowledge of basic medical terminology
  • Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels and identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure satisfactory resolution.
References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679 Veterans Health Administration August 1, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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. 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.

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.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

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.

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.

Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.

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