Medical Support Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Portland (OR)

On-site

USD 41,000 - 66,000

Full time

3 days ago

Be an early applicant

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Portland VA Medical Center is seeking Medical Support Assistants to support clinical teams at Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA campuses.

The roles involve scheduling appointments, maintaining patient charts, verifying insurance, and coordinating information to ensure timely care for Veterans. These entry-to-mid level positions provide guidance from experienced MSAs, with opportunities to grow through different clinic areas and shift patterns.

Qualifications

High school completion or higher.
Ability to verify insurance and coordinate patient information.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Interact with internal and external customers and maintain patient charts and administrative records.
Verify third party insurance and update information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system.
Coordinate information and actions related to patient care and scheduling of appointments per VHA guidelines.
Obtain medical information from patients as needed and assist with clinic scheduling.
Monitor wait lists, enter encounter data, and support workload credit processes.
Follow guidance from experienced staff and supervisor for tasks as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Scheduling

Record keeping

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ICB system

Insurance verification

Electronic medical records

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Portland VA Medical center is looking to fill many Medical Support Assistant positions at their Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA campuses. The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

Key Responsibilities

Medical Support Assistants provide administrative support to our clinical colleagues in the care of our Nation's Veterans. Our mission is to provide efficient and effective healthcare services by promoting and enabling the delivery of timely, accurate, accessible health care. VA is committed to cultivating a dedicated workforce of highly skilled employees who understand, believe in, and take pride in VA's mission.

MSAs are essential to the success of this mission and may be assigned to many areas of the medical center. GS-3 Level: This is the entry level of the position.

The MSA will receive more frequent guidance from experienced MSAs to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

GS-4 Level: This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs will receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor.

Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member. GS-5 Level: This is the full performance level MSA position. The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage.

Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, hour will be discussed as part of the interview process. 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).

GS-3: 40,512.00-52,671.00 GS-4: 45,476.00-59,121.00 GS-5: 50,880.00-66,144.00 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements & Education

High School Completion or higher If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a conditional job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision: Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official).

If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts.

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 $40512 – $66144/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-20.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.