LEAD MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Veterans Health Administration; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Traditional federal pension

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Tacoma, WA is seeking a Lead Medical Support Assistant (LMSA) to serve as the primary liaison between the patient care team and administrative operations within Primary Care. The LMSA will coordinate appointments, relay messages, and assist with eligibility determinations and policy inquiries to ensure timely, compassionate care.

Responsibilities include greeting patients, routing calls, coordinating with multiple clinics, and supporting the care team with

Responsibilities

• Receives patients and visitors in person or telephonically.
• Records and relays messages and/or redirects calls as necessary.
• Verifies eligibility for care and coordinates with Care Team for action.
• Schedules appointments and provides information on policies and locations to patients and staff.
• Coordinates care with local ancillary facilities for tests or treatments.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Puget Sound VA Medical Center is looking to fill a Lead Medical Support Assistant position in Tacoma, WA. The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Medical Support Assistants (LMSA) serves as the major communication link and provides continuity between the members of the patient care team and is expected to be thoroughly familiar with all administrative and operational functions of the activities that form Primary Care.

Teams include the Nurse Manager, RN 's, Clinical Associates, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Staff Physicians, Resident Physicians, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Primary Care Mental Health Providers and Students Duties include but not limited to: Receives patients and visitors in person or telephonically. Records and relays messages and/or redirect calls as necessary.

Refers urgent messages and patient results to the appropriate Care Team member for immediate action. Obtains identifying information and determines the nature of the visit/call. Insures eligibility for care and contacts appropriate staff members for verification, when necessary.

Schedules appointments and provide information regarding unit, clinic and hospital policies, procedures and locations to patients, family members, staff, etc., or refers to other resources for difficult questions or concerns. Maintains and monitors patient appointment schedules for the unit/clinic and communicates delays in scheduled appointments to the appropriate staff and patients.

Attempts to resolve complaints of a local administrative nature and refers other complaints to appropriate authorities. Coordinates and/or schedules patient appointments with other clinics or specialties. Receives and handles concerns ensuring that quality service is rendered in a timely, competent, and caring maimer. Serves as coordinator for questions including interpretation of policy relating to the provision of medical services.

Responds to complex questions involving a range of issues. Researches problems and/or reviews issues and requests related to information regarding provisions for medical care, eligibility, etc.; clarifies issues and evaluates the need for additional information. Provides advice regarding regulations. Identifies and recommends ways of eliminating, combining, simplifying, or improving procedures and processes.

Ensures the database integrity by monitoring, for accuracy and completeness, all systems of data entry and collection; this includes current software as well as future updates and revisions Verifies benefit eligibility determinations; outlines the medical care benefits to which the patient has entitlement. Obtains all key information needed and initiates administrative processing of basic requests and forms.

Provides eligibility determinations and information to the medical staff. Copies and files documentation and enters information into the computer. Provides administrative support for the facility in handling written correspondence and telephone inquiries, training, contacting various ancillary services to ascertain status of admission of transfers to other facilities. Coordinates care with local ancillary facilities for the care and/or testing or treatment of patients; i.e.

laboratory testing, radiological screening. Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff, and professional staff regarding medical care eligibility. Determines immediate eligibility based on information supplied by the applicant. Responds to technical questions regarding patient rights, responsibilities, and dental/nursing home/medical eligibility for care. Processes admissions and transfers into the medical center.

Performs clerical work in support of the care and treatment given to patients such as receiving patients and maintaining patient files. Processes all requests for compensation and pension examinations from Regional Office and ensures that reports are completed accurately within allotted time frames for each step in the examination process. Additional duties or tasks may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives : 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) 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

Education is not used for substitution of experience at the GS 7 level.

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 $60228 – $78298/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-28.

Who is eligible to apply?

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