Medical Support Assistant

VA Detroit; Leeds; On-site; USD 37,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a prestigious organization as a Medical Support Assistant, providing essential administrative support to enhance patient care in a vibrant team environment. This role involves coordinating admissions, maintaining records, and communicating effectively with Veterans. Competitive salary and generous paid time off are among the many benefits offered.

Benefits

37-50 days of annual paid time off

Parental leave after 12 months

Child care subsidies

Traditional federal pension

Qualifications

• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Experience in clerical, office, or customer service roles.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Update insurance information and medical records.
• Provide excellent customer service to Veterans and their families.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Education

One year above high school

Job description

Join to apply for the Medical Support Assistant role at VA Detroit

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Medical Support Assistant role at VA Detroit

Summary

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) coordinates administrative and team support in a wide variety of basic administrative functions. Incumbents would serve as a MSA for the Health Administrative Service Line at the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.

Summary

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) coordinates administrative and team support in a wide variety of basic administrative functions. Incumbents would serve as a MSA for the Health Administrative Service Line at the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.

Help Help

Duties

The purpose of this position is to serve as a MSA and provide support for a wide range of assignments that include administrative support to increase scheduling and communication integrity across all services. Work is performed collaboratively in an Interdisciplinary Coordinate Care delivery model (Patient Aligned Care Team, or Specialty Care Setting). It is expected that entry level MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. The incumbent is considered the team's authority on clerical and administrative issues and will keep them informed of regulations, policies, procedures regarding eligibility and benefits, clinic management, statistical and data collection and customer service.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Assisting with admission, discharges, and transfers in and out of assigned units.
• Updating the Bed Management System and per VA directives.
• Communicating with Veterans, their families, and other departments to expedite patient care and movement.
• Collects and updates insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients.
• Providing float coverage to assist other units as needed.
• Communicating with the Nurse on Duty (NOD) to ensure time and leave sheets are updated and available to timekeepers.
• Scanning and patient chart updates.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Enters Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately.
• Utilizes call lists and telephones Veterans to pre-register them before their scheduled visits. Incumbent updates all patient demographics.
• Review and documents medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
• The work requires the ability to work in a busy environment, multi-task, ensure compliance, as well as process and follow-up on a very high volume of phone calls or written requests from patients inquiring about appointments or their status on the waiting list.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: 40 Hours a week, Monday - Friday, 0730 am-4:00 pm, EST

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:F03813, F03812,F01390

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Notes

• This announcement may be used to fill additional Vacancies with different tours in the future, based at the VA Medical Centers in Leeds, MA which includes a Clinic in Worcester MA.
• This is a Bargaining Unit Position
• Positions are covered by a Special Salary Rate
• Veterans' Preference: This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.
• Current or former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
  
  

Help Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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

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.
• English Language Proficiency. MSA's must be proficient in spoken and written English
• citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience and Education.
• 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
• Education: One year above high school (Transcripts required); Or
• Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable (Transcripts required).

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-03 Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
• Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.
• Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.
• Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.

GS-04 Intermediate/Developmental level

• Experience. One year of 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
• Education. Two years of education above high school (Transcripts required); AND
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
• 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.
• 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.
  

GS-05 Full Performance Level

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 OR
• Education. Successful completion of a 4-years of education above high school (Transcripts required); AND
• Demonstrated KSAs
• 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.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• 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.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 03 to GS 05.

Physical Requirements: Medical Support Assistant functions require use of a computer and telephone. This requires use of fingers or speech recognition. Hearing required (aid permitted). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Read more

• Help Help 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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

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.

Help Help

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
  
  

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  
  

Veterans' Preference: This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at VA Detroit by 2x

Get notified about new Medical Support Assistant jobs in Leeds, MA.

Leeds, MA $52,794.00-$68,700.00 3 weeks ago

Leeds, MA $37,711.00-$61,563.00 1 week ago

Medical Assistant - Westfield Outpatient Clinic

Medical Assistant - Holyoke Outpatient Clinic

Clinic/Practice Assistant, Family Medicine- Hadley

Greenfield, MA $52,794.00-$68,700.00 3 weeks ago

Springfield, MA $52,794.00-$68,700.00 3 weeks ago

Medical Assistant - 40 Hrs, Occupational Health

Patient Access Administrative Coordinator

Medical Assistant, OBGYN and Midwifery- Northampton

Medical Assistant, Family Medicine- Northampton

Medical Assistant, General Surgery/Bariatrics- Northampton

Medical Assistant, Family Medicine- Northampton

Medical Assistant MA - Outpatient Orthopedics

Medical Assistant - Holyoke Primary Care

Immediate Hiring For Medical Assistant At Holyoke MA

Immediate Hiring For Medical Assistant At Holyoke MA

Medical Assistant MA - Outpatient Orthopedics

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.