Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Danville, IL

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) works within Health Administration Service at VA Illiana Health Care System, collaborating with an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery team such as a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or a specialty-care team using the PACT model. The role supports clinic operations and patient access to care through appointment coordination, patient communication, administrative processing, and collaboration with clinical staff.

This is a permanent position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The work is primarily sedentary in a typical office setting. The full performance level is GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• High school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or a state- or territorial-level proficiency certificate.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, directly related to Medical Support Assistant duties and demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with medical clinicians across disciplines to support team goals and 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, including preparing reports, presenting data, and resolving patient concerns.
• Advanced knowledge of technical health care processes related to access to care, including interdisciplinary care delivery, community care models, and patient health care portals.
• Advanced knowledge of operational policies and procedures affecting patient flow and support, including appointment cycles, outside referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, and provider availability.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Submit a transcript if relying on education to meet qualification requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability and utilization, monitor schedules, and make adjustments as needed.
• Review and follow up on open encounters and return-to-clinic orders daily.
• Communicate with patients, interdisciplinary care teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies, including assisting with communication during inpatient-to-outpatient discharge.
• Operate computerized programs and enter appropriate information into the electronic record.
• Demonstrate courtesy and professionalism, including screening and receiving phone calls courteously and in a timely manner.
• Perform required pre-registration activities.
• Process incoming patient secure messages through My HealtheVet and coordinate with the care team as appropriate.
• Participate in team huddles and meetings to manage, plan, and problem-solve patient care, follow up, share information, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Monitor pre-appointment information and requirements to ensure readiness for a patient visit or procedure.
• Manage patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues.
• Evaluate patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether a patient requires an immediate appointment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits are available to the employee and family, subject to eligibility and position type.
• Selected applicants may be eligible for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service; approval is required and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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