Summary The Lead MSA is responsible for the training and coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. He/she is responsible for daily workload assessments, providing staffing coverage, and determining training needs of MSAs. This position is an indirect patient care position and primarily consists of appointment scheduling and preauthorizing payment of health care. Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and exceptional customer service are critical. Responsibilities VA Careers - Lead Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/UJO_XH5uCLs Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Medical Support Assistant is responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative and technical duties in support of community care coordination and consult/referral management. This person provides administrative coordination of patient care, appointments, and logistical factors associated with patient care, inpatient and outpatient, related to the coordination of care between the VA Medical Center and outside facilities, both VA and non-VA. Incumbent uses a broad working knowledge of all medical center programs and services and of the varying priorities and complexities of outside care for specialty services. The complexity of duties may encompass numerous clerical responsibilities, including but not limited to typing, filing, data entry, scheduling appointments and tests, ensuring transfer of medical records from and to the Medical Center and other facilities, ordering office supplies and necessary forms, scheduling patients' appointments and/or consults, tracking patients' appointment status in the community, data tracking, making regular follow-up calls, completing electronic forms; researching a database of community health care services to assist Veterans with locating care in the community; assisting with processing emergent and non- emergent consults for health care and services in the community at VA expense. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. 8:00AM-4:30PM. 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 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 #: 000000 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. 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 dentification 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 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 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: 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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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. 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: GS 07In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)a. Experience. One year of experience/knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. GS 6 KSAs: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. Ability to provide staff development and training. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics. Preferred Experience: 2 years VA Community Care Experience. Formal or informal trainer experience. Strong knowledge of medical terminology. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, dated August 1, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 06. Physical Requirements: The Lead MSA position is primarily sedentary and requires prolonged sitting and typing. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting and lifting of at least 35 pounds on an occasional basis. Staff may rarely be exposed to Veterans who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders while in patient care areas. 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 for 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. 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.
