Medical Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Grand Junction, CO

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) performs duties related to receiving, intake, and indexing health and administrative information, using personal computer applications and multiple VistA applications. The MSA schedules and reschedules appointments, interprets and verifies provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines, refers patients to medical specialty clinics, and coordinates information and actions related to patient care and services.

The role includes reviewing and documenting clinical and administrative electronic health records, obtaining medical information from patients, and providing information to resolve patient complaints. The MSA answers telephone calls and secure messages and chats, greets patients, and relays messages to appropriate staff. The MSA refers questions about medical attention to appropriate health care personnel, advises clinical staff on administrative processes, and performs other duties to support efficient operations. The work is sedentary overall, with some walking, retrieving and carrying items, and crouching or bending to file documents or attend to supplies. The position is full-time; the work schedule will be determined upon selection. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-03, and selection may be made at GS-03 through GS-05.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• High school diploma, GED, or qualifying proficiency certificate; education above high school may substitute for experience at GS-04 or GS-05 under the stated criteria.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-04, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-03 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 GS-04 or two years of education above high school, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the grade; for GS-05, advanced knowledge sufficient to understand diagnoses and procedures and communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with patients, health care team members, and internal and external customers, including in person, electronically, and by telephone.
• Ability to use office automation equipment and software; at GS-05, operate computerized systems to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information.
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting; at GS-05, work independently on a wide variety of patient support duties.
• Subject to background and security investigation and required onboarding steps; seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete all application requirements, including the online assessment. Males born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Receive, intake, and index health and administrative information.
• Use personal computer applications and VistA applications.
• Schedule and reschedule appointments, interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
• Refer patients to other medical specialty clinics.
• Provide patients with information to resolve complaints and interact with internal and external customers.
• Review and document clinical, medical outpatient and inpatient, and administrative electronic health records.
• Obtain medical information from patients and coordinate information and actions related to patient care and services.
• Answer telephone calls, secure messages, and chat messages; greet patients and relay messages to appropriate staff.
• Refer questions regarding medical attention to the appropriate health care member.
• Advise clinical staff on current administrative processes.
• Perform other assigned duties to support efficient and effective operations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on 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.
• Potential 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 income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED