Summary This announcement will remain open until the September 12th closing date which is beyond the date that the system will no longer accept applications for the advertised position. The cut-off date is September 9, 2025, OR the point at which the system receives the first 30 applications, whichever comes first. Applications submitted after March 9, 2024, may not receive consideration. In addition, due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Responsibilities VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent serves as Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC assigned to the Surgical Service. The work of the position supports the care and treatment given to patients through providing administrative support to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) Surgery, Surgery's Administrative Officer (AO), and all Surgery Departments. The duties listed below is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position. Functions: The incumbent provides administrative and technical support in the organization, planning, implementation, and quality management for the Surgery Service clinics. The incumbent is required to be self-motivated and demonstrate initiative and concern for the successful delivery of accurate data to management. The position requires innovation and initiative in assuming new responsibilities as the situation demands. Procedure & Operating Room Schedule Management: The AMSA chief responsibility is to have expertise knowledge of scheduling and clinic functions which include demonstrated proficiency with the use of the surgical package software which is designed specifically for data collection for surgical procedures. Additionally, the incumbent must have expertise knowledge regarding the VHA Directive 2010-027 Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures. The AMSA must be able to review patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patients are vested, recognizing, and educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VA's or those who have care in the community) and bringing any issues regarding patient care, patient scheduling, access issues or Operating Room (OR) functions to Service Leadership. Report & Data Management: Report & Data Management Assist in retrieving periodic data & statistical reports and helps prepare correspondence by collecting and releasing data following a standardized approach that meets established requirements. The AMSA collects data relevant to surgical medical activities and workload for report preparation and submissions. The incumbent validates data gathered from various sources and the incumbent maintains record indexes and compiles administrative statistics for Service leadership, physicians, and all other health care staff within Surgery. Service Administrative Support: The incumbent will assist in maintaining all administrative functions for Surgery Service and serve as the primary support for Service leadership as well as other administrative staff within the service regarding the organization of information, OR scheduling, service level patient advocacy, and timekeeping. Provides and obtains a variety of administrative support services essential to the smooth operation of the OR schedule management and the organization in general. Occasionally aids service secretary and/or administrative assistant in ensuring that designated personnel are informed to meet recurring deadlines, recurring report due dates, appointments, or response actions as needed. The AMSA will back-up/assist the Service secretary and/or administrative assistant in effectively and efficiently scheduling appointments and meetings without prior approval in accordance with Service leadership's policies and priorities without any major conflicts. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 659-1208FA Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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). 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. 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 3.j. 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. 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: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below: i. Ability to collaborate [and] communicate [with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met.] ii. [Ability to independently] set priorities and organize [ ] work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. iii. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, [electronically, by phone, in person], and in writing, [with internal and external customers]. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, [as well as resolving patient concerns]. iv. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process [(including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals)] as it relates to access to care. [v.] Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care [administrative functions] to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. [vi.] Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: The AMSA chief responsibility is to have expertise knowledge of scheduling and clinic functions which include demonstrated proficiency with the use of the surgical package software which is designed specifically for data collection for surgical procedures. Additionally, the incumbent must have expertise knowledge regarding the VHA Directive 2010-027 Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures. The AMSA must be able to review patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patients are vested, recognizing, and educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VA's or those who have care in the community) and bringing any issues regarding patient care, patient scheduling, access issues or Operating Room (OR) functions to Service Leadership. The incumbent must ensure quality assurance for all work produced or completed within OR and referring Surgery Service(s). The incumbent serves as the AIS coordinator for Surgery Service & the OR. The individual is responsible for effectively integrating and managing the Surgical Package and code manager, designed specifically for the surgery program at the Salisbury VAMC. Responsibilities include obtaining, managing, and using information to enhance and improve individual and organizational performance, patient care, and patient tracking. Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. This may include assisting in preparing reports in various formats and forwarding data to Surgery Service leadership. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care. Advanced knowledge of managing OR scheduling functions. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within the OR scheduling environment. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational support of the Operating room, CPRS, VISTA, and appointment management. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This is mostly a sedentary position. There was be some light lifting up to 25lbs, bending, standing, stooping, walking. This position will require you to work in from of a computer screen for 90% of your day. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
