Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position serves as the direct line supervisor for assigned MSAs staff within the Primary Care Clinic at the Akaka VA Clinic in the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/19/2024 to 05/03/2024

• Salary

$62,156 - $80,800 per year

Additional: COLA 8.90% will be added to your salary

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Honolulu, HI 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

8

• Job family (Series)

0679 Medical Support Assistance

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSW-12393335-24-LLT

• Control number

787538700

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open only to Permanent VA and Federal employees.

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Duties

The Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is a Level 3 facility and ranks among a complex system in the VA serving the Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21). The VAPIHCS offers a full range of comprehensive health care services including Dentistry, Geriatrics & Extended Care, Imaging, Medicine Services, Mental Health Services, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Primary Care, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Services, and Specialty Services. The VAPIHCS offers several special medical programs in include Home Health Services, Homeless Veteran Services, Pharmacy Specialized Services, Rurality, Spinal Cord Injury, TeleHealth, and Women's Health Centers. The VAPIHCS operates eight community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) covering seven county areas. These outpatient clinics are in American Samoa, Guam, Saipan, Hilo, Kauai, Kona, Leeward Oahu, Maui, and Windward Oahu.

This position is located in the Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei, Hawaii in the Primary Care Section.

Functions / Duties:

• The Supervisory MSA plans and directs programs at the Pacific Islands Health Care System inpatient / outpatient clinics and community based outpatient clinics and has full supervisory responsibility. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; conducting monthly scheduling audit, resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems in order to make recommendations for improved operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the MSA's activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data in order to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management.

• The Supervisory MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e. PACT) for Primary Care and various services and clinics and performs all related duties; customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients and assure appointment schedules are maintained by MSA staff for one or more outpatient clinics. He/she must assist with clinic access contingency plans by adjusting appointment times, location, or dates as well as shift patients to other healthcare providers as conflict with staffing and/or coverage occurs.

• Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification of all patients through the use of two forms of identification, name and full Social Security Number. The patient may also present the Veterans Identification Card (VIC) for identification. When assisting the MSA staff in the check-in process, he/she must use each interaction with the patient to validate and update patient demographic information, either in person during check-in or over the phone, to decrease the incidence of returned mail due to incorrect addresses and inability to contact patient by phone due to incorrect number.

• Assures MSA staff explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. Assures staff collects, scans, and updates health insurance information serving a major role in the revenue process. The incumbent contributes to the revenue collection process by identifying patients with third party insurance. Promotes veteran registration for and utilization of MyHealtheVet (MHV).

• Assures front line contact with patients and staff by setting the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. A high degree of tact and diplomacy is required when dealing with veterans who have multiple health problems and who may be frustrated with the administrative process associated with diagnosis and treatment. A caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the phone.

• When records are received, the incumbent will ensure that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) by sending the documents to HIMS for scanning.

• Incumbent must screen/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday; 7:30am

• 4:00pm, possible Saturday rotation

Telework: Not eligible for Telework

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 1 year of experience at equivalent to the next lower level of GS-07.

• 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 3.j.

• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• 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 3.j.

• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-08

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.

• Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.

• Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.

• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.

• Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.

References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix 45 Qualification Standards for 0679 Medical Support Assistants.

Preferred experience: One year specialized administrative patient support in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model; to include scheduling patient appointments and providing customer service to patients, providers, visitors, and etc.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. It occasionally requires carrying of light objects such as files, books and papers; some walking, standing, and bending. No special physical qualifications are required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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.

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.