Advanced Medical Support Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Florence (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs works within an interdisciplinary care delivery model in a Specialty Clinic or with a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to support seamless patient access.

This GS-6 position requires U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, and proficiency in English; no prior experience is required. The role emphasizes collaboration, efficient scheduling, and accurate documentation in a medical office setting.

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required.
• Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Experience: None.
• English proficiency required per 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in an interdisciplinary care delivery model in a specialty clinic or with a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
• Assist with scheduling, patient access, and administrative tasks to support care delivery.
• Adhere to VA policies and procedures, ensuring accurate documentation and patient communication.

Skills

Interdisciplinary care

Medical terminology

English proficiency

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model in a Specialty Clinic or with Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• Experience: None.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grandfathering

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). Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

(1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(2) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement of the Advanced Medical Support Assistant at the GS-6 level:

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• 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.
• 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.

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-6.

Physical Requirements

The work of this position is primarily sedentary in an office setting, primarily while seated working closely with others or alone. There may be some walking, standing, bending, kneeling, lifting no more than 35 pounds, reaching above shoulder, driving an automobile, etc. The work environment typically involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of a medical office and/or meeting or training room.