Health Benefits Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County)

On-site

USD 41,000 - 53,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Wilkes-Barre seeks a Health Benefits Assistant to provide high-level administrative and data support for the Health Benefits section at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, including CBOCs.

The HBA will handle admissions data, patient information, and travel pay processing in accordance with VHA directives. Responsibilities include acting as SME for Health Benefits, guiding beneficiaries, scanning documents into CPRS, and coordinating with the medical team

Qualifications

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.
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.

Responsibilities

Serve as SME for Health Benefits in the Business Office.
Screen and advise beneficiaries seeking medical treatment.
Provide advice, problem resolution, and administrative support for related healthcare services.
Enter accurate, timely data into the appropriate database and ensure documentation is complete.
Process pre-admission and admission to the Medical Center and Community Living Center (CLC).
Scan medical documents into the CPRS system to support patient safety and care.
Process beneficiary travel requests and advise on eligibility per VHA directives.
Provide administrative guidance on Special Mode requests to the medical team.
Conduct personal interviews with Veterans or their families to establish eligibility for emergent care.
Request and track logistics and admin supplies and follow up to resolve issues.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position description is for a Health Benefits Assistant (HBA), located within the Health Benefits section of Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center. The HBA is responsible to provide a high level of administrative and data support to the department in all matters health benefits related to include the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Key Responsibilities

The Health Benefit Assistant (HBA) must be familiar with all functions of admitting, scheduling, registration, travel allowance, eligibility and enrollment determinations, release of information, medical records, compensation and pension, patient transportation, Veterans Health Identification Card, and the service programs. HBAs will provide the utmost customer service to customers, both internal and external by upholding the ICARE Values definitions at all times.

Duties included but not limited to: Subject matter expert for the Health Benefits section of the Business office 70%The HBA serves as a subject matter expert for the Health Benefits section of the Business office to screen, advise, technical assistance, and assist Veterans and other beneficiaries seeking and receiving medical treatment. Incumbent provides advice, problem resolution, and administrative support for all related healthcare services.

Responsible to ensure accurate, timely and consistent information is entered into the appropriate database. The incumbent registers, schedules and prepares all pertinent data for all admissions by ensuring that all documentation is completed and signed by the admitting physician.

Administratively processes patients for pre-admission and admission to the Medical Center and/or Community Living Center (CLC) including unit assignments, review and assurance that medical records are complete and correct, necessary documentation is available and updated, and patient is properly identified.

Responsible for scanning all medical documents received and ICB scanning 10%The HBA is responsible for scanning all medical documentation into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to ensure patient safety and patient quality of care. The incumbent follows directives and policies on scanning appropriate documentation into the Veterans medical record. Coordinates with scanning department should any issues or concerns arise on medical documentation scanning procedures.

Process Beneficiary travel requests and Special Mode Transportation requests 10%The HBA processes request for travel pay, entering data into VISTA and/or completing appropriate travel claim forms. Advises Veterans on eligibility/ineligibility to receive travel pay upon request utilizing VHA directives and polices concerning beneficiary travel.

Incumbent provides administrative guidance on Special Mode request to the medical team and ensures requests are in compliance with all VHA directives and policies.

Conducts personal interviews with Veterans and/or their family or representative 5% The HBA conducts personal interviews with the Veteran and/or their family or representative to obtain additional assistance in establishing eligibility when the normal method is unsuccessful and the Veteran is seeking emergent medical care and has not been enrolled in the VA Health Care System.

Responsible for requesting logistic and administrative supplies 5%The HBA tracks and requests administrative supplies such as printer cartridges, paper, pens, wristbands, and any other request that is requested from the team. Incumbent will request work orders through the Supervisor, track when action has been completed and follow up with staff to ensure issue has been resolved. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 12:00 p.m.-8:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD00433A

Requirements & Education

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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $40736 – $52957/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-06.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.