Health Benefits Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Wilkes Barre, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Benefits Assistant (HBA) works in the Health Benefits section of the Business Office at the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center, including its Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The position provides administrative and data support for health-benefits services and assists Veterans and other beneficiaries seeking or receiving medical treatment. The HBA is expected to provide high-quality customer service to internal and external customers while upholding the VA ICARE Values.

The HBA serves as a subject matter expert for the Health Benefits section, providing screening, advice, technical assistance, problem resolution, and administrative support. The role includes registration, scheduling, admission processing, eligibility and enrollment determinations, travel assistance, release of information, medical-record support, and related services. The incumbent ensures accurate and timely data entry, processes pre-admissions and admissions, and checks that required documentation and medical records are complete and correct.

The position also involves scanning medical documents into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), processing beneficiary travel and Special Mode Transportation requests, interviewing Veterans or their representatives to assist with eligibility determinations, and tracking and requesting administrative supplies and work orders. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment and must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants must meet the GS-05 qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• For the specialized-experience route: at least one year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, such as customer service with patients and hospital staff, updating and verifying demographic information, creating electronic medical files, using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, or providing administrative support.
• Alternatively, applicants may qualify through four years of education above high school in an eligible accredited institution or program; transcripts are required when using education.
• Applicants may alternatively qualify through a combination of specialized experience and education; only education beyond the second year may be combined with experience, and transcripts are required.
• Current or former Federal employees subject to time-in-grade rules must have 52 weeks at GS-04 for a GS-05 position and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
• A transcript must be submitted when education is used to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• The position requires a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• The work requires concentration and sustained accuracy under potential stress and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for the Health Benefits section of the Business Office, screening and advising Veterans and beneficiaries and providing technical assistance, problem resolution, and administrative support.
• Enter and maintain accurate, timely, and consistent information in appropriate databases.
• Register and schedule patients and prepare admission information; ensure required documentation is completed and signed by the admitting physician.
• Administratively process pre-admissions and admissions to the Medical Center or Community Living Center, including unit assignments and verifying patient identification and that records and documentation are complete, correct, and up to date.
• Scan medical documentation into CPRS in accordance with applicable directives and policies, and coordinate with the scanning department about scanning issues or concerns.
• Process beneficiary travel-pay requests by entering information into VISTA and/or completing travel claim forms; advise Veterans about travel-pay eligibility under VHA directives and policies.
• Provide administrative guidance to the medical team on Special Mode Transportation requests and ensure requests comply with VHA directives and policies.
• Interview Veterans and/or their family members or representatives to obtain information to help establish eligibility when normal methods are unsuccessful and the Veteran seeks emergent care without VA Health Care System enrollment.
• Track and request administrative supplies, including printer cartridges, paper, pens, and wristbands.
• Request work orders through the Supervisor, track completion, and follow up with staff to ensure issues are resolved.
• Provide customer service to internal and external customers while upholding the VA ICARE Values.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may, subject to approval before appointment, credit job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the rate of annual-leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

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