Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salem VA Medical Center is seeking an Advanced Medical Support Assistant to support our fast-paced Emergency Room Quick Care Clinic. As an AMSA, you are the heartbeat of Veteran access, handling scheduling, coordinating care, and guiding Veterans with empathy through their visits.

Basic requirements include US citizenship and a high school diploma; one year scheduling experience is preferred. The full performance level is GS-06, with advancement based on KSAs and performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; GED or equivalent accepted.
• One year of scheduling experience preferred.
• GS-06-level knowledge and duties include coordinating care and managing patient flow.

Responsibilities

• Schedule Veterans for services and coordinate across departments to ensure smooth patient flow.
• Provide empathetic, professional support and guidance to patients and families.

Skills

Scheduling

Coordination

Communication

Patient support

Education

High school diploma/ GED

Job description

The Salem VA Medical Center is seeking a compassionate, detail-driven Advanced Medical Support Assistant to support our fast-paced Emergency Room Quick Care Clinic.

As an AMSA, you are the heartbeat of Veteran access - the first friendly voice, the reliable problem-solver, and the coordination expert who keeps care flowing smoothly across multiple services. You'll ensure Veterans are scheduled accurately, supported attentively, and guided with empathy through the care they deserve.

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 or territorial-level Board or Department of Education
• Licensure/Certification/Registration: None

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).

• Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (2) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet 5 the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

• Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-06
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • (a) 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.
    • (b) 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.
    • (c) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians
    • (d) 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.
    • (e) Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
    • (f) 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.

Preferred Experience

One (1) year of scheduling 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 GS06.

Physical Requirements

The work requires some physical exertion, such as extended periods of walking while making clinical rounds or making contacts with other services of the Medical Center. There are also some requirements for standing, twisting, bending, sitting, and carrying of supplies. Must be able to lift (30 lbs.) and carry short distances.