Medical Support Assistant

Summary

VA Puget Sound Healthcare Systems is looking to fill a Medical Support Assistant position in Everett - WA. The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

• 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
• MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j Education
• Must have High school diploma - General Education Development equivalency certificate - or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education
• Preferred Experience:
  
  One-year experience working in a medical or clinic setting - scheduling appointments - referring patients to specialty clinics - collecting insurance documentation - documentation in electronic health records - and advanced medical terminology
• Grade Determinations: GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (experience working in a medical or clinic setting - scheduling appointments - referring patients to specialty clinics - collecting insurance documentation - documentation in electronic health records - and advanced medical terminology) or 2 years of education above high school (must provide Transcripts if using Education to qualify) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:
  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
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
• Ability to [schedule medical] appointments in a clinical setting
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person - electronically - and/or by telephone - with internal and external customers
• 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 5005/117 - Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard - GS-679
• Published August 1 - 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.
  
  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.

• Medical Support Assistants provide administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans
• Our mission is to provide efficient and effective healthcare services by promoting and enabling the delivery of timely - accurate - accessible health care
• VA is committed to cultivating a dedicated workforce of highly skilled employees who understand - believe in and take pride in VA's mission
• MSAs are essential to the success of this mission and may be assigned to many areas (service lines) of the medical center that have a need
• GS-5:
  This is the full performance level MSA position
• The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments in accordance with national scheduling guidelines - including interpreting and verifying provider orders
• Assignments at this level include - but are not limited to: scheduling - canceling - re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults
• entering no-show information
• monitoring the electronic wait list
• preparing for clinic visits
• monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility
• ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit
• verifying and updating demographics and insurance information
• processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals
• performing basic eligibility - co-pays and pre-authorization requirements for specific coverage
• Work Schedule:
  
  Typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
• Available tours will be discussed during the interview process
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):
  Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):
  Not Authorized
• Pay:
  Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service…