Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Radiology Service in Columbus seeks an Advanced Level Medical Support Assistant to support CT, Ultrasound, MR, and other imaging modalities.

This role involves coordinating scheduling, patient preparation, and efficient administrative support within an interdisciplinary care delivery model. The Advanced MSA works with radiology teams to manage clinic flow, patient communications, and data entry, ensuring timely access to care and adherence to guidelines

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of the healthcare scheduling process across clinics.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of clinicians and patients.
• Experience using health information systems for scheduling and patient flow.

Responsibilities

• Schedule, cancel, and audit radiology appointments accurately.
• Prepare patients for exams and ensure readiness.
• Coordinate with care teams and monitor clinic schedules.

Skills

Healthcare scheduling

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient communication

Medical terminology

Administrative judgment

Education

High school diploma

GED equivalency certificate

Job description

Summary

The MSA serves as an Advanced Level Medical Support Assistant in Radiology Service for the modalities of Computed Tomography (CT) - General Diagnostic - Ultrasound - Bone Density - Fluoroscopy - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) - Vascular - and Nuclear Medicine. Columbus The Radiology Service is in the main building at the Columbus Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center.

Summary

The MSA serves as an Advanced Level Medical Support Assistant in Radiology Service for the modalities of Computed Tomography (CT) - General Diagnostic - Ultrasound - Bone Density - Fluoroscopy - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) - Vascular - and Nuclear Medicine. Columbus The Radiology Service is in the main building at the Columbus Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center.

Qualifications

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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience: None
• Education: High school diploma - General Education Development equivalency certificate - or proficiency certificate from a State of territorial-level Board of 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above - the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Advanced Medical Support Assistant - GS-06
• Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including - but not limited to - scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow - and patient support care administrative functions to include - but not limited to appointment cycles - outside patient referrals - follow-up care - overbooking - provider availability - etc
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. - medical doctors - nurse practitioners - physician assistants - psychologists - psychiatrists - social workers - clinical pharmacists - and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met
• Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines - ensuring compliance with established processes - policies - and regulations
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively - electronically - by phone - in person - and in writing - with internal and external customers
• This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels - as well as resolving patient concerns
• Assignment
• At the advanced level - the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) (AMSA) performs difficult and responsible specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model
• Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics - specialties - and/or care in the community resources
• Recommend changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines
• Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model
• Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics - and makes adjustments as necessary
• MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient - interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams - VA medical centers - and other agencies (e.g. - assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge
• communicate with non-VA medical facilities
• prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results
• manage a system for follow-up care such as consults - tests - etc.)
• Other assignments at this level include - but are not limited to: processes incoming patient secure messaging through MyHealthyVet and coordinates with care team as appropriate
• participates in team huddles and team meetings to manage - plan - problem solve - and follow-up with patient care by sharing information and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team
• setting priorities and deadlines - adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs
• identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers
• as needed
• assists the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions
• enters appropriate information into the electronic record
• monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure
• manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues
• evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment
• informs team members about shared patients (i.e. - those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community)
• 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary
• It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration
• There will be some walking - standing - bending - and carrying of relatively light objects
• The position may also require stooping - reaching - lifting - pulling - and other moderate exertion or strain
• Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

Duties

• The Advanced MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting within the Radiology Services department
• The Advanced MSA is a subject matter expert for Radiology scheduling and patient preparation for exams
• The incumbent follows scheduling - cancelling - and auditing guidance accurately and efficiently
• They develop/maintain effective and efficient communication with patients for the purpose of scheduling and preparing patients for exams according to guidelines established at Local and National levels
• The Advanced MSA coordinates with the Radiology Team to review Radiology monitors and Performance Measures by using various reports provided in the Radiology Informatics System and make any necessary adjustments
• VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS# 93703-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized