Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary

The Specialty Care AMSA will be a part of an Oncology Team that consists of a Provider, RN, and LPN. This team will provide Oncology services to Fargo VA and on-site services to our CBOC's to reduce Community Care dollars. As needed, the AMSA will provide support to other Specialty Medicine ICC teams, impacting the administrative aspect of patient care through specialized and coordinated appointments, using advanced clinic access principles, collecting, updating pertinent information.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/17/2024 to 04/29/2024

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

• Salary

$44,117 - $57,354 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Fargo, ND

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm.

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

6

• Job family (Series)

0679 Medical Support Assistance

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Credentialing

• Announcement number

CBCT-12378140-24-CS

• Control number

787237400

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all Qualified U.S. Citizens.

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Duties

This job announcement will close on April 29, 2024 OR at 11:59 p.m. on the date in which the applicant cut-off of 50 applications is met, whichever comes first. Applications that are submitted after the cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless requested by management.

The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) and provides clerical administrative support in the coordination, care, and treatment provided to patients throughout the Specialty Care Integrated Clinical Community (ICC), to include Pulmonary, Cardiology, Hospice, Palliative, Kidney, Oncology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Infectious Disease, Diabetic Ed, and other specialty care areas.

The incumbent's work impacts the administrative aspect of patient care, including access, specialized scheduling/coordinating appointments using advanced clinic access principles, collecting, and updating demographic and insurance information, patient processing, and customer service. the incumbent plays an integral role in identifying and developing ways to resolve problems with the administrative and clinical staff on access, customer service, patient flow, revenue, and data validation issues. Assignments consist of significant scope, administrative independence, and complexity that vary in range. The responsibilities often require a high degree of judgement in responding to both employee and patient concerns and providing solutions to problems as they affect day to day operations.

The major duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Making specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources.

• Recommending changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines and has expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model.

• Coordinating with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability and utilization to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics and makes recommendations for change as necessary.

• Developing and maintaining effective communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge, communicate with non-VA medical facilities, manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests procedures etc.).

• Scheduling, canceling, and rescheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information.

• Participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage, plan, problem solve, and follow up with patient care by sharing information and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.

• Setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs;

• Identifying incomplete encounters, communicates findings to providers, as needed.

• Assisting the team in reinforcing the plan of care and self-help solutions; enters appropriate information into the electronic record.

• Providing orientation/training on clinic procedures to new or relief staff as necessary.

• Generates patient reports for validation and monitors activity in clinical areas to ensure consistent and accurate reporting.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday

• Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm.

Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized

Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• 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).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• Experience and Education: (1) Experience

• Six months experience of clerical, office, [customer service], or other [administrative] work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; or (2) Education

• One year above high school; or (3) Experience/Education

• Equivalent combination of experience and education.

• English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

• Certification: None required.

Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the title, series, and grad held, [which] are [a] part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Specialized Experience for the GS-06: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (G-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to processing incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealtyVet; coordinating with care teams as appropriate; participating in team huddles and team and patient needs; identifying incomplete encounters and communicating findings to providers; as needed; assisting the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions; entering appropriate information into the electronic record; monitoring pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure; managing patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires and immediate appointment; informing team members about shared patients (i.e., those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community.)

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met.

• Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established 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 in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns.

• Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care.

• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc.

• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G45

Physical Requirements: The work performed is predominately clerical in nature and requires no special physical standards. The work is usually performed in an office setting, working with others and/or alone. As typical in an office setting, there is the possibility for multiple distractions from normal operating functions and the incumbent is expected to be able to physically perform the duties of the position, aides permitted (which may include walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending.) The work may also include the need for light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) of work materials (i.e.: books, binders, papers, etc.).

Education

There is no substation of education for specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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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. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.