Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Castle Point, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA) for Health Administration Services within the VHA HV HCS, responsible for a broad range of administrative duties. The incumbent may be assigned to provide administrative support to the Castle Point or Montrose campuses, or any of the seven CBOCs. Duties VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Duties include but are not limited to the following: Screens patients, visitors, and caregivers at the Medical Center. Collects and updates insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients. Prepare correspondence and memos as needed. Screens/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of request and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes. Records patient messages via email or CPRS schedulers administrative note to provider/nurse/Team and understands provider requests pertaining to follow up medical care in internal or external clinics via use of Return to Clinic orders. Ensure data is entered into VISTA accurately and scans documents into VISTA Imaging within 24 hours of entering the data into VISTA if applicable. Promotes Veteran registration for and utilization of My Healthy Vet (MHV) Stocks basic office supplies for the clinical area. Enters Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately in accordance with VHA National Scheduling guidelines. Utilizes call lists and telephones Veterans to pre-register them before their scheduled visits. Incumbent updates all patient demographics. Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Assures that all appropriate VA forms are used correctly, and regulations followed. Must have knowledge of basic medical terminology. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Complete all required steps in the process.
• In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.
• The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
• Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.
• Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients.
• Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e., computer systems, web-based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
• Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports.
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.

Nice To Haves

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (for GS-04).
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (for GS-05).
• One year of education above high school (for GS-04).
• Two years of education above high school (for GS-05).

Responsibilities

• Screens patients, visitors, and caregivers at the Medical Center.
• Collects and updates insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients.
• Prepare correspondence and memos as needed.
• Screens/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of request and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes.
• Records patient messages via email or CPRS schedulers administrative note to provider/nurse/Team and understands provider requests pertaining to follow up medical care in internal or external clinics via use of Return to Clinic orders.
• Ensure data is entered into VISTA accurately and scans documents into VISTA Imaging within 24 hours of entering the data into VISTA if applicable.
• Promotes Veteran registration for and utilization of My Healthy Vet (MHV)
• Stocks basic office supplies for the clinical area.
• Enters Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately in accordance with VHA National Scheduling guidelines.
• Utilizes call lists and telephones Veterans to pre-register them before their scheduled visits.
• Updates all patient demographics.
• Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
• Assures that all appropriate VA forms are used correctly, and regulations followed.
• Must have knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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