Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Danville, IL

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) serves in Care in the Community at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Illinois. The role provides specialized administrative support to Veterans and works collaboratively with interdisciplinary coordinated care teams, including PACT, specialty clinics, and Care in the Community programs. It requires administrative judgment and flexible use of clinical processes related to access to care across the community.

The AMSA coordinates community care consult appointments, works with community providers to confirm acceptance of VA patients and payment arrangements, prepares pre-appointment documentation, and records scheduling efforts in the appropriate consult. The role obtains medical documentation from community providers and coordinates communication about services rendered, urgent requests, and follow-up treatment. The AMSA also supports coordination of internal and external care, processes patient secure messages through MyHealthyVet, and contributes to team huddles and meetings.

The position monitors clinic appointment availability and schedules, evaluates patient and clinic information to determine appointment urgency, verifies and resolves patient-system data issues, and ensures required pre-appointment information is ready. It enters appropriate information in electronic records and performs other duties as assigned. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• High school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or state/territorial proficiency certificate.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, directly related to Medical Support Assistant duties.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with medical clinicians across multiple disciplines to achieve team goals and ensure patient care needs are met.
• Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines while complying 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 healthcare processes related to access to care, including scheduling across coordinated care and community care models and patient health portals.
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures for coordinated care and community care operations affecting patient flow and support, including appointment cycles, outside referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, and provider availability.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment background and security investigation requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate appointment schedules for community care consults.
• Work with community providers to confirm acceptance of VA patients and payment arrangements.
• Prepare required pre-appointment documents, including referral forms and releases of information.
• Coordinate scheduling for the appropriate level of care and document scheduling efforts in the appropriate consult.
• Obtain medical documentation from community providers and coordinate communication about services rendered.
• Communicate with PACT teams about urgent requests and requests for further treatment to support continuity of care.
• Coordinate internal and external care between patients, customers, and providers.
• Process incoming patient secure messages through MyHealthyVet and coordinate with the care team as appropriate.
• Participate in team huddles and meetings to manage, plan, problem-solve, and follow up on patient care.
• Enter appropriate information into the electronic record.
• Monitor pre-appointment information and requirements to ensure readiness for patient visits or procedures.
• Manage patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues.
• Evaluate patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patients require immediate appointments.
• Coordinate with the patient care team to monitor clinic appointment availability and utilization and make schedule adjustments as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with patients, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies, including supporting inpatient-to-outpatient discharge communication and follow-up care.
• Perform other duties as assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients.

Benefits

• The job announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefits are not detailed.

What This Job Offers

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