Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Veterans Health Administration; New Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Providence Healthcare System in Providence, Rhode Island seeks a Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-06 in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position.

Primary duties include coordinating interdisciplinary care, managing patient access and scheduling, and supporting workflow across clinical teams. Applicants must meet basic requirements (US citizenship, English proficiency, and a high school diploma or equivalent).

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of coordinating cross-disciplinary care delivery.
• Familiarity with patient access and scheduling processes.
• Proficiency in medical terminology and health care terminology.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate scheduling across interdisciplinary teams.
• Assist with patient access and care coordination.
• Prepare reports and communicate with clinicians to ensure timely care.

Skills

Advanced healthcare process knowledge

Interdisciplinary coordination

Medical terminology

Communication with internal and extr.*

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This Medical Support Assistant position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System in Providence, Rhode Island. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

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. English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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:

Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-06: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Experience:

One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service (GS-05).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.

Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or Higher:

If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm 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).

Preferred Experience:

One year of medical scheduling preferred.

Reference:

VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G45. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.