Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Veterans Health Administration • Alamosa, CO

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) provides specialized administrative patient support as part of an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Vacancies may be in Care in the Community, Primary Acute Care Teams, the Call Center, specialty clinics, and other medical center areas, including the Business Office, Community Care Service, and Health Administrative Services. The role supports clinical colleagues in delivering efficient, effective, timely, accurate, and accessible health care to Veterans.

This is an open continuous announcement through September 30, 2027. Qualified applicants may be referred as vacancies arise, and the announcement may close without advance notice. The position is full-time; the work schedule will be determined upon selection. The work is primarily clerical and is usually performed in an office setting, working with others or independently. This is not a virtual position, and telework is not available.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or a qualifying proficiency certificate.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, including patient scheduling, referrals, records review and documentation, insurance verification, patient communication, and coordination of patient care, or qualification under the stated VA grandfathering provision.
• Advanced knowledge of technical health care processes related to access to care, including scheduling across coordinated care or community care models and patient health care portals.
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures for coordinated care or community care operations affecting patient flow and administrative support, including appointment cycles, outside referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, and provider availability.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with medical clinicians across multiple disciplines to support team goals and patient care.
• Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines and comply with processes, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing with internal and external customers; this may include preparing reports, presenting data, and resolving patient concerns.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must complete the required application steps and online assessment; meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements; and undergo a background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification and required application documents.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the patient care team to review clinic utilization using reports.
• Monitor clinic setup and make necessary adjustments to support clinic needs.
• Communicate with patients, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies.
• Facilitate and process secure messaging between patients and care teams, and notify patients of normal lab results.
• Develop and manage tracking systems for follow-up care, including consults and tests.
• Participate in team huddles and meetings to plan and manage patient care.
• Set priorities and deadlines, and adjust work flow and sequencing to meet team and patient needs.
• Work with the team to reinforce care plans and self-help solutions, and enter appropriate information into the electronic record.
• Monitor pre-appointment requirements to ensure readiness for visits and procedures, such as X-rays and lab work.
• Manage the electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues.
• Schedule and reschedule patients, interview patients for appointments, refer patients to specialty clinics, and provide information to address complaints.
• Review and document medical and administrative electronic health records; verify third-party insurance and update information; obtain medical information from patients; and coordinate information and actions related to patient care and services.
• Schedule appointments in accordance with guidelines and communicate with internal and external customers.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible 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 the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to 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.

What This Job Offers

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