Summary This position is in the Office of VA Community Care at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. The incumbent performs key duties in the areas of data analysis, administration management, and operational direction in support of the VACC Programs. The primary purpose of this position is to provide accurate and appropriate guidance and instruction in VACC Program functions to ensure maximum support to the Medical Center and appropriate treatment of VA patients. Responsibilities Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides direct technical and administrative supervision to 4 Lead AMSA's/GS-7 and 25 AMSA's/GS-6. Incumbent has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing AMSA activities to include the daily operation of the unit, ensures that agency policies and priorities are being followed; develops performance standards; and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, and technical instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees; refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious cases. Provides oversight and has knowledge of daily functions / activities and work processes as they relate to consult management, appointment management, budget management, and notification / appeals management. Has understanding and insight of programs and processes that support VACC services. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments and reassignments to unit positions; identifies and provides for training needs; and finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority. Develops written operating procedures and schedules to guide employees in their work, provides training, assigns and coordinates the work. Defines performance standards for subordinate staff. Establishes priorities, schedules and deadlines for routine and special work assignments and monitors the quality and quantity of work performed. Responsible for ensuring those employees within area of responsibility have completed mandatory training. Incumbent conducts in-service training to staff within VACC and Medical Center wide, regarding the VACC Program. Incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, initiating, controlling, and coordinating operational activities of the VACC Program at the SAVAHCS. Responsible for studying issues relative to treatment at the expense of the VA including eligibility determination, authorization, workload capture, payment, appeals, and technical applications to support these activities. Prepares verbal and written responses to inquiries and complaints of Veterans and Congressional staff regarding fee basis healthcare benefits. Responses require thorough research of circumstances, contacts with patients, their representatives, friends, or relatives, attorneys, offices of public and private agencies, physicians and other health care professionals, other VA Medical Centers, VA Regional Offices and Headquarters for solving problems, explaining procedures, and recommending various courses of action. Analyzes operations in terms of quality, quantity, and work effectiveness; initiates or recommends corrective action. Resolves complex problems and coordinates resolution with other Medical Center services and staff. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm 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 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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 1 or 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 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; OR, Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following grade requirement for a Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-8. Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. AND demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting. iv. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs. v. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with prolonged periods of sitting. The work requires moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, standing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; ability to read without strain; ability to hear the whispered voice with or without hearing aid; emotional & mental stability. 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.
