Medical Support Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Medical Support Assistants for the Health Administration Service at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Selectees may be used in various areas across the facility where MSAs are needed.

Basic requirements include US citizenship, English proficiency, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Graduate levels span GS-3 to GS-5 with KSAs emphasizing patient interaction, scheduling, and record management.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; federal grandfathering provision may apply.
• Ability to communicate with diverse individuals and health care team members.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in patient care.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Office navigation

Medical terminology

Record messages and follow-ups

Education

High School Diploma / GED or equivalent

Tools

Computer systems

Scheduling software

Insurance collection system

Scanning software

Multi-line phones

Electronic faxing

Job description

This position is in Health Administration Service (HAS) at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Selectees from this announcement could be considered for any of the areas throughout the facility where Medical Support Assistants are utilized.

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 3.j.
• Experience: No experience required.
• Education: High School Diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

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).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Medical Support Assistant, GS-3

None beyond the basic requirements.

Medical Support Assistant, GS-4

• Experience or Education:
  • Experience: One year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level; OR,
  • Education: One year of education above high school.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  • Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients.
  • Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.
  • Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
  • Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

Medical Support Assistant, GS-5

• Experience or Education:
  • Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR,
  • Education: Two years of education above high school.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  • Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports.
  • Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
  • Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
  • Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
  • Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

Creditable experience includes administrative patient support in a medical inpatient or outpatient setting.

Preferred Experience

Customer service, multi-task and basic clerical experience preferred.

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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office setting and is primarily sedentary. May require lifting and carrying of light loads (e.g.files, records etc.). See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.