Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Medical Support Assistant (MSA) serves as an initial point of contact for the VAMC inpatient ward units and provides technical and administrative support that facilitates the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide direct patient care. MSAs are an important source of patient-care and patient-flow information and coordinate patient admissions, discharges, and transfers, remaining aware of pending patient movements.

The role requires practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information-processing systems, and software related to patient care. The MSA works collaboratively within an interdisciplinary coordinated-care model, supports multiple clinics using advanced patient systems, and helps ensure accurate documentation and readiness for patient visits and procedures. The position is at the Omaha VAMC inpatient wards. The work schedule varies and may include days, nights, and weekends; duty days and hours will be discussed with the supervisor.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For the basic qualification, either no prior experience or a high school diploma, GED, or state/territorial proficiency certificate is required.
• Must meet the experience or education requirements and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the grade sought. GS-4 requirements include one year of qualifying experience or one year of post-high-school education, plus specified medical terminology, communication, and office-automation abilities. GS-5 requirements include one year of experience equivalent to GS-4 or two years of post-high-school education, plus specified medical terminology, customer-service, electronic-record systems, appointment scheduling, independent-work, and communication abilities.
• Must complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Subject to background and security investigation and required onboarding procedures.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Physical requirements are governed by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate patient admissions, discharges, and transfers, and stay aware of pending patient movements.
• Provide specialized administrative patient support while collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team.
• Recommend changes to clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines.
• Use advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics.
• Coordinate with the patient-care team to review clinic utilization.
• Request medical records from community healthcare facilities and ensure patient paperwork is filed in the chart in a timely manner.
• Use multiphone line systems and demonstrate appropriate phone etiquette.
• Adjust the flow and sequencing of work to meet team and patient needs.
• Assist the team in reinforcing the plan of care and self-help solutions.
• Document appropriate information in 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.
• Maintain office supplies, copy and store necessary forms, and maintain office equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• 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, and 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.
• Regular salary increases.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.

What This Job Offers

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