Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Huntsville, AL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Support Assistant provides clerical and medical administrative support to inpatient wards and units, including medical and surgical units, palliative care, and intensive care. The position supports the day-to-day administrative operations of the inpatient team and coordinates accurate administrative information between professional staff and patients.

The role manages admission, discharge, transfer, and observation-patient processes; verifies orders; schedules discharge appointments; coordinates transportation; and ensures required documents are provided. The Medical Support Assistant works with unit staff, bed management, environmental services, and other partners to support optimal bed flow. Critical patient information calls and NOW or STAT orders must be promptly routed to the assigned RN, charge nurse, or supervisor.

The position is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full performance level is GS-5, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-5.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or state or territorial proficiency certificate.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Knowledge of inpatient procedures and regulations and basic medical terminology.
• Ability to operate computer systems and applications.
• For GS-04: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade or one year of education above high school, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-05: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade or two years of education above high school, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• GS-04 knowledge, skills, and abilities include basic medical terminology; recording patient messages and understanding physician requests; courteous communication with people from varying backgrounds and health care team members; and using office automation equipment and software.
• GS-05 knowledge, skills, and abilities include advanced medical terminology; customer service and appropriate referral of concerns; use of computerized systems to handle sensitive medical and identifying information; appointment scheduling; independent performance of varied patient-support duties; and professional communication in person, electronically, or by telephone.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform clerical duties for one or more wards or units providing medical and surgical services.
• Manage administrative processes for admissions, discharges, transfers, observation patients, and general unit operations.
• Verify orders and immediately notify the assigned RN of any NOW or STAT order.
• Immediately route phone calls containing critical patient information to the assigned RN, charge nurse, or supervisor.
• Coordinate administrative information between professional staff and patients.
• Schedule discharge appointments, manage transportation, and provide required documents.
• Collaborate with unit staff, bed management, environmental services, and other partners to support optimal bed flow.
• Use computer systems and applications to support inpatient administrative operations.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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