Medical Support Assistant

Duties

The Advanced MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other specialty care setting where the patient aligned care team model is used such as oncology, HIV, SCI, Military Sexual Trauma, etc.). The Advanced MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensure that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments. They develop/maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team; notify patients of normal lab results; develop and manage a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc.). Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; may work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record; monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work); managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions; participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week Compressed tour 10 hour days 6:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. OR 5 days per week 6:45 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. or 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ALL TOURS INCLUDE ROTATING SATURDAYS.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Expenses are not authorized for this position.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• US Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 MSA (Entry Level)

Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level)

Experience or Education. One year of experience in clerical or office work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position or two years of education above high school.

GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level)

Experience or Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or 4 years of education above high school.

GS-6 Advanced MSA

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site.

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: 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.