Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Veterans Health Administration; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Las Cruces, NM seeks an Advanced Medical Support Assistant to perform receptionist duties and coordinate care across outpatient clinics. You will maintain appointment schedules and provide courteous, patient-focused service to ensure timely and proper treatment.

Basic requirements include U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, and English proficiency. One year of experience at the GS-5 level is preferred; closing date is 09/18/2026.

Qualifications

• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
• High school diploma or GED or state/provincial equivalency.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English per 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Responsibilities

• Perform receptionist duties and provide customer service.
• Maintain appointment schedules for one or more outpatient clinics.
• Collaborate with medical staff to ensure timely access to care.

Skills

Customer service experience

MSA/Scheduling experience

Medical terminology

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

The Advanced MSA works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model and performs receptionist duties, customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients and maintains appointment schedules for one or more outpatient clinics.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2026.

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).

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.

Licensure/Certification/Registration.

None.

Physical Requirements.

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

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

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 education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Experience:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• i. 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.
• ii. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
• iii. 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.
• iv. 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.
• v. 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.
• vi. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.

Preferred Experience.

• MSA/Scheduling Experience
• Medical/Healthcare Terminology
• Customer Service Experience

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.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.