Summary The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is located in the Emergency Department. The AMSA provides expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary care delivery model (a team comprised of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social work) which provides optimal care to acutely ill patients or those requiring post-operative care. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to The AMSA functions include monitoring clinical flow processes and supporting patient and unit's needs. They assist with the facilitation of inpatient admissions, transfers, and discharges; help with the organization and tracking of medical orders and tests (i.e. laboratory samples, x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds); and schedule appointments and consultations. The Advanced MSA's utilize and review various reports including but not limited to the missed medications and medication effectiveness reports and the surgery admissions schedules. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is highly skilled in performing a wide range of tasks and their advanced capabilities support and facilitate the overall operation of a complex inpatient unit. The Advanced MSA uses advanced knowledge of policies and procedures to coordinate interdisciplinary care delivery and performs all clerical, administrative and operational functions of the unit. The AMSA develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with patients, interdisciplinary medical teams, VA medical centers and other agencies. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant takes initiative and anticipates the needs of the unit, serving as the primary resource for patient information flow and processing. The GS-6 AMSA Functions as the payroll timekeeper or back-up timekeeper: duties include entering work and leave hours correctly in the Veterans Affairs Time and Attendance System (VATAS), reviewing the record for accuracy and working to resolve any pay issues. Ensures timecards are accurately posted and ready for supervisory approval on payroll Friday at 0800. Performs all aspects of timekeeping including yearly training and mandatory meetings. Advanced Medical Support Assistants are considered chief sources of patient care and patient flow information and require advanced knowledge of related policies and procedures. The AMSA uses advanced knowledge of medical terminology to verify orders in the computerized patient record system (CPRS); reviews admission, discharge and transfer (A/D/T) orders for accuracy; ensures laboratory tests, imaging and provider consults are entered correctly and completed in a timely manner; and contacts the appropriate sources for corrections when needed. The AMSA keeps up-to-date with regulations that concern eligibility for care, control of medical records, availability of and requesting special tests and procedures. Runs errands in support of team functions as requested by the program coordinator and other clinical staff, such as obtaining telemetry boxes and transporting and picking up blood products. Problem-solves office equipment malfunctions, obtaining IRM, Engineering, copier/fax technician, or Facilities Management support as indicated, and enters Electronic Work Orders (EWO) as needed; tracks progress of EWO until completed or follow up as needed. Receives and coordinates incoming/outgoing telephone, intercom, and electronic messages; receives and directs patients and visitors; answers routine inquiries about the office, its functions, and standard operating procedures; and makes appropriate referral of questions concerning patients' conditions. The AMSA is cross-trained to cover all inpatient units. Serves as a mentor and/or preceptor to new MSAs. Orients new team members (MSAs, physicians, nurses, and other ancillary staff) to the unit's administrative work flow to assist in fostering an interdisciplinary working relationship between healthcare members. Work Schedule: Full time; Work schedule will be determine upon selection. Telework: No 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60713-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 TB test 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Experience. None. Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: 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. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose 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 be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-06 Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of credible experience at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic, monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments; coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other clinical/medical facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment @type based on the patient's eligibility status. AND Candidates must also demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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. 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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. 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. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. 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. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Support Assistant" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a medical support assistant, working in a call center and/or performing administrative health care functions. 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-06 Physical Requirements: The position involves work that is mainly sedentary but requires some bending, walking, standing and lifting/carrying (under 15 LB) of supplies, patient records, staff and patient mail. Some assignments may involve more frequent walking, but these assignments require no unusual physical demands to perform work. Education IMPORTANT: If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript with your application.If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision: Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official) 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.
