Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) provides essential Administrative and clerical support to outpatient community-based outpatient clinics with the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) in Saint Croix and US Virgin Island. Working as part of an interdisciplinary care team, the AMSA ensures efficient clinic operations by managing patient flow, coordinating appointments, and facilitating diagnostic and treatment orders.

Requirements

• 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 evaluation/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.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education Certification.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-679-5 grade level.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5).
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. This experience may include but is not limited to: Advise clinical staff on current administrative processes. Answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the clinic, and scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines Scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with 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. Coordinate administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e., sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and managing clinic appointment availability and utilization to ensure efficient scheduling and maximum access to care.
• Enter data for each scheduled appointment, including check-ins, service-connected appointments, no-shows, and other required information as per current scheduling procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinating communications among Veterans, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and external agencies.
• Preparing and issuing correspondence to notify patients of test results or follow-up requirements.
• Developing and maintaining tracking systems for consults, laboratory results, and follow-up care.
• Managing incoming secure messages via My HealtheVet and coordinating responses with the care team.
• Participating in team huddles and meetings to manage and plan patient care activities.
• Identifying incomplete encounters and collaborating with providers to ensure timely documentation.
• Reinforcing plans of care and promoting Veteran engagement in self-care initiatives.
• Monitoring pre-appointment requirements and verifying readiness for patient visits or procedures.
• Evaluating clinic schedule lists to identify Veterans needing immediate appointments or special accommodations.
• Complete daily reports of activity in accordance with local procedures and supervisory instructions in a timely manner.
• Determining Veteran eligibility and enrollment status using the Veteran Enrollment System (VES) and other administrative tools.
• Coordinating emergency and non-emergency transfers to VA or non-VA facilities and determining appointment type based on eligibility.
• Assisting Veterans in completing documentation for medical benefits and entitlements.
• Reviewing CPRS and administrative records to verify insurance coverage, service connected conditions, and eligibility for specific benefits.
• Handle administrative and financial processes to secure Temporary Lodging and Fisher House Accommodations.

Benefits

• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• 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)
• 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.
• 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 .

What This Job Offers

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