Medical Support Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Child-Care Subsidy

Traditional federal pension

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City, IA, seeks a Medical Support Assistant to coordinate patient care and provide clerical support within the Community Care service line at the Iowa City VA Medical Center.

You will schedule appointments, greet patients, relay messages, and assist clinical staff based on scheduling guidelines. Experience with medical terminology and proficiency in scheduling software are valued as you support care coordination across VA facilities and external

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in patient care
• Ability to record patient messages and understand physician requests
• Proficiency with office automation equipment and scheduling systems

Responsibilities

• Track assigned workload for all consults and results management
• Maintain effective communication with interdisciplinary teams and non-VA medical facilities
• Participate in Care in the Community team huddles and meetings to plan workflow
• Ensure integrity of databases and data used for administration and customer service
• Utilize Community Care programs, electronic medical records, scheduling software, and related critical administrative programs
• Schedule, reschedule patient consults, and monitor processes related to Care in the Community scheduling
• Communicate appointment details and pre-appointment requirements or instructions to patients and families
• Contact ordering provider or nurse when clinical review is required
• Identify and communicate patient concerns or needs during calls or interactions
• Link Care in the Community consults and appointments within the scheduling package to ensure accurate information for future scheduling
• Work schedule: Intermittent employment up to 32 hours/week
• Compensation: Competitive salary with regular increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days per year (including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment
• Child-Care Subsidy: Up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for full-time employees meeting income criteria
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with VA contribution

Skills

Medical terminology

Patient communication

Office automation

Appointment scheduling

Education

GS-03 Basic citizenship requirement

GS-04 One year education above high school

GS-05 One year of experience above lower grade or two years education

Tools

Office automation software

Job description

Summary

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) works within the Community Care service line at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, providing clerical and administrative support to coordinate patient care and treatment.

Qualifications

1. GS‑03
   • Basic Requirement: U.S. citizenship (non‑citizens may be considered when no qualified citizens are available).
   • No experience or education beyond the basic requirement.
   • Expected to receive guidance from more experienced staff and frequent supervision.
2. GS‑04
   • Experience or Education: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade or one year of education above high school.
   • Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
     • Basic medical terminology to assist in patient care.
     • Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests.
     • Ability to communicate courteously with patients and health‑care team members.
     • Proficiency with office automation equipment and software (e.g., computer systems, web‑based scheduling programs, insurance collection systems, scanning software, multi‑line phone systems, electronic faxing).
   • Assignment: Developmental level MSA. Responsibilities include scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment, interviewing patients for appointments, referring patients to specialty clinics, providing information to resolve VA Handbook complaints, interacting with internal and external customers, and reviewing medical records.
3. GS‑05
   • Experience or Education: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade or two years of education above high school.
   • KSAs:
     • Advanced medical terminology for clinical communication.
     • Customer service skill to identify and resolve customer concerns.
     • Ability to operate computerized programs and systems to manage sensitive medical information.
     • Proficiency in scheduling medical appointments in a clinical setting.
     • Independence in carrying out a wide variety of duties.
     • Professional communication across media with internal and external customers.
   • Assignment: Full‑performance level. The MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of health‑care services, advises clinical staff on administrative processes, and is responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages, and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

Duties

• Track assigned workload for all consults and results management.
• Maintain effective communication with interdisciplinary teams and non‑VA medical facilities.
• Participate in Care in the Community team huddles and meetings to plan workflow.
• Ensure integrity of databases and data used for administration and customer service.
• Utilize Community Care programs, electronic medical records, scheduling software, and related critical administrative programs.
• Schedule, reschedule patient consults, and monitor processes related to Care in the Community scheduling.
• Communicate appointment details and pre‑appointment requirements or instructions to patients and families.
• Contact ordering provider or nurse when clinical review is required.
• Identify and communicate patient concerns or needs during calls or interactions.
• Link Care in the Community consults and appointments within the scheduling package to ensure accurate information for future scheduling.
• Work schedule: Intermittent employment up to 32 hours/week.
• Compensation: Competitive salary with regular increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days per year (including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays).
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment.
• Child‑Care Subsidy: Up to 25 % of eligible childcare costs for full‑time employees meeting income criteria.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (vested after 5 years) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution.
• Telework: Not available.