Medical Support Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Support Assistant for the VA San Diego Healthcare System to perform a full range of clerical healthcare duties in inpatient and outpatient settings.

The role collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure accessible, patient-centered care. The MSA must meet education requirements, have strong medical terminology knowledge, and possess excellent customer service and computer skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology to understand diagnoses and procedures.
• Strong customer service skills with ability to identify concerns and refer to staff for resolution.
• Ability to operate computerized systems to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive patient data (EHR, scheduling, reports).
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• Ability to work independently across a wide range of patient support duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, electronically, and by telephone.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clerical healthcare services in inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• Interact with interdisciplinary teams to support patient care delivery.
• Maintain and enter patient data accurately in electronic records and scheduling systems.
• Assist with appointment scheduling and referrals as part of the clinical workflow.

Skills

Medical terminology

Customer service

Computer skills

Scheduling appointments

Independent work

Professional communication

Education

High school diploma

Two years of education beyond high school

Job description

The Medical Support Assistant in the Nursing Service Ward Administration at the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team and other health care professionals to provide accessible care that meet patient needs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of clerical healthcare services in inpatient units and/ or outpatient units setting.

SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: Current Federal Employees are mandated to submit your recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) dated 2026 for eligibility that displays your actual and current grade, step, salary, and tenure. Award SF-50s are not considered eligible. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration. None
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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 for GS-05 Medical Support Assistant

In addition to the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following grade determinants.

Experience or Education

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR
• Education. Two years of education above high school.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate ALL the following KSAs:

• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience

Background in healthcare or medical field, strong computer skills, excellent customer service skills, organizational and time-management skills, flexibility to adapt to change and dependability with schedules.

Creditable Experience

To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting.

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-05.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.