Medical Administration Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Saint Louis, MO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Administration Specialist for the Health Administration Service represents management on administrative matters, maintains continuity of functions, and provides medical administrative support to clinical and administrative medical center staff outside normal business hours. This is a full-time float position with varying tours of duty and days off; it is not virtual. The role interprets VA rules and regulations concerning legal entitlements and benefits related to hospital admission, community care, and patient transfers. It coordinates medical-legal problem resolution, addresses administrative issues arising from beneficiary deaths and other serious incidents, advises clinical staff on administrative actions, and responds to non-routine inquiries about patient conditions. The specialist also oversees eligibility determinations, decides the extent to which medical or social information may be released from patient records, facilitates urgent Veteran transportation, and assists physicians with administrative matters. The position monitors facility alarm systems and refrigerator temperature alarms, conducts assigned analytical studies and special projects, and provides after-hours patient-advocate support to Veterans and their families.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For current Federal employees or former employees applying for reinstatement, meet the GS-9 time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-7, if applicable.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, such as medical-center administrative work; determining eligibility and enrolling patients; coordinating inquiries; interpreting medical-administration regulations, laws, or policies; using health-system programs for admissions, outpatient scheduling, or entitlement determinations; or completing projects, studies, reports, and reviews. Alternatively, qualify through the specified graduate education or a combination of education and experience.
Submit a transcript if using education to qualify; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process.
Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Interpret VA rules and regulations related to legal entitlements and benefits for hospital admission, community care, and patient transfer.
Coordinate resolution of medical-legal problems concerning the medical center.
Process administrative issues involving beneficiary deaths, suicides, assaults, homicides, facility or community disasters, and similar events.
Direct and advise clinical staff on appropriate administrative actions regarding patient activity.
Receive and respond to non-routine inquiries about patient conditions.
Oversee determination of applicants’ eligibility.
Determine the extent to which medical or social data may be released from patient records.
Facilitate urgent transportation for Veterans, including flights for VA organ transplant candidates traveling out of state.
Record operative permits when appropriate and assist physicians with administrative matters.
Monitor fire systems, refrigerator temperature alarms, fire alarms, intrusion alarms, and codes.
Conduct analytical studies on operational processes, issue topics, or assigned special projects.
Receive calls and provide after-hours patient-advocate support to Veterans and their family members.