Adv Med Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Castle Point, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Castle Point NY VA Medical Center is seeking an Advanced Medical Support Assistant to join its Health Administration team. The Advanced MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic utilization using reports such as the Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary, monitors clinic setup, and makes adjustments to effectively support clinic needs.

The employee develops and maintains effective communication with patients and caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies. This includes supporting inpatient-to-outpatient discharge communications; communicating with non-VA medical facilities; facilitating secure messaging between patients and care teams; notifying patients of normal lab results; and tracking follow-up care such as consultations and tests.

The role also supports team planning and patient care coordination, monitors appointment readiness, contributes to operational problem-solving, and follows up on team huddles. The Advanced MSA evaluates patient information and clinic schedules, determines whether patients are vested, and informs providers about patients receiving care at multiple VAs or in the community. The position uses multiple computer applications and requires knowledge of records and forms management, information security and exchange, reports and data, appointment scheduling, telephone care, and customer service. Rotational coverage between areas within the assigned facility is required.

The work schedule is 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level and selection grade are GS-06.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or state or territorial proficiency certificate.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care, including scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care and/or community care models and patient health care portals.
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures for interdisciplinary coordinated care and/or community care operations affecting patient flow and administrative support functions, including appointment cycles, outside referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, and provider availability.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with medical clinicians across multiple disciplines to accomplish team goals and support patient care.
• Ability to set priorities and organize work independently to meet deadlines and comply 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, presenting data, and resolving patient concerns.
• United States citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background and security investigation; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Must meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Review clinic utilization with the patient care team using reports such as the Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary.
• Monitor clinic setup and make necessary adjustments to support clinic needs.
• Communicate with patients and caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies.
• Assist with inpatient-to-outpatient discharge communications and communicate with non-VA medical facilities.
• Facilitate and process secure messages between patients and care teams, notify patients of normal lab results, and track follow-up care such as consultations and tests.
• Participate in team huddles and meetings to manage and plan patient care.
• Set priorities and deadlines and adjust the work sequence to meet team and patient needs.
• Work with the team to reinforce plans of care and self-help solutions, and enter appropriate information into the electronic record.
• Monitor pre-appointment requirements to ensure readiness for visits and procedures, such as X-rays and lab work.
• Participate in operational problem-solving and perform administrative follow-up actions.
• Follow up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to support continuity of care.
• Evaluate patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patients are vested.
• Educate providers about shared patients receiving care at multiple VA facilities or in the community, and bring relevant information to providers' attention.
• Provide rotational coverage as assigned among areas within the assigned facility.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED