Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Veterans Health Administration; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking an Advanced Medical Support Assistant to support clinicians and coordinate patient access across care teams. The role includes scheduling, information management, and facilitating communications among physicians, nurses, and care staff.

The AMSA position emphasizes handling administrative tasks, utilizing patient portals, and ensuring smooth patient flow within the medical facility. This is a full-time, on-site role in a VA healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of health care processes and scheduling across interdisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with care delivery models and patient health portals.
• Strong understanding of medical terminology and clinical language.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate scheduling across interdisciplinary teams and care delivery models.
• Assist with patient access and care coordination activities within the facility.
• Support clinical staff by handling administrative tasks and information flow.

Skills

Advanced health care process knowledge

Interdisciplinary coordination

Medical terminology

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSA) are multi-functional employees with full clerical capabilities and responsibilities. AMSA are considered chief sources of information and play an important role in accomplishing the work of the unit. They perform a variety of support duties that facilitate the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide patient care.

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.

***KSA Recommendation - All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in your application may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA (found below) to demonstrate how you have gained each one in your application package or on a supplemental document***

Creditable Experience: Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the 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/non-paid employment as [an] MSA or [an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting].

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. Experience: None 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).

Grandfathering Provision:

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: 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. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.

Foreign Education:

To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. 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.

Experience:

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade and be able to demonstrate the below knowledge, skills and abilities.

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 clinici