Advanced Medical Support Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Spokane is seeking an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA). The AMSA serves as a liaison between patients, nursing staff, medical staff, and external agencies to ensure smooth access to care.

The role requires experience in healthcare administration, strong communication, and ability to schedule, relay messages, greet patients, and support clinical staff in a high-volume setting. VA Handbook standards apply.

Qualifications

• 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: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j
• Education: High school diploma, GED, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

Responsibilities

• Answer phones, greet patients, relay messages to appropriate medical staff.
• Schedule appointments and interpret/verify provider orders in accordance with VHA scheduling guidelines.
• Serve as liaison between patients, nursing staff, medical staff, outside agencies and VA Medical Centers.
• Assist in coordinating access to care and patient flow.

Skills

Advanced health care process knowledge

Interdisciplinary coordination

Medical terminology proficiency

Collaboration with clinicians

Prioritization and organization

Effective communication (written/oral)

Education

High school diploma / GED / state proficiency certificate

Job description

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) serves as the liaison between patients, nursing staff, medical staff, outside agencies and other VA Medical Centers in their assigned area and serves customers both internal and external.

The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

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: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j
• Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6

Experience:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level; Examples of qualifying experience, include but are not limited to, independently performing a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advising clinical staff on current administrative processes. Performing administrative support duties including answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate medical staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

AND

Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below

• 1. 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.
• 2. 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.
• 3. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.
• 4.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.
• 5. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
• 6. 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.

Note:

You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as 'I was a Medical Support Assistant' is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.

Preferred Experience:

Previous experience as a medical support assistant, working in a call center and/or performing administrative health care functions.

References:

VA Handbook 5005/117, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679. Published August 1, 2019

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 lbs, occasionally lifting and carrying 10- 25 lbs. Occasional lifting of 50 lb maximum boxes of paper on and off the transport cart for 5 delivery to units worked. The work requires occasional walking, standing, periods of sitting, intermittent reaching at or above shoulder height, twisting and bending. Requires finger and hand dexterity adequate to handle and manipulate equipment, computer input using a keyboard, stocking of supplies and filing forms. Hearing and visual acuity adequate to receive and transmit messages (personally and via telephone), accurately file and process orders.