Medical Support Assistant - Emergency Department

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis seeks a Medical Support Assistant to support the Emergency Department within the Health Administration Service.

The role focuses on receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information using VA applications and multiple computer systems. Responsibilities include scheduling, patient data handling, insurance verification, and coordinating care with internal and external staff, while maintaining patient privacy and providing

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in patient care.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to address concerns and resolve issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse patients and healthcare staff.
• Comfort with operating office software and multiple computer systems.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and reschedule patient appointments in accordance with scheduling guidelines.
• Interview patients to collect information and clarify appointment details.
• Verify and update demographics and insurance information in records.
• Assist in processing requests and coordinating care with internal and external providers.

Skills

Medical terminology

Customer service

Communication

Office automation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

ICB system

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

VA Applications

Job description

Summary

This Medical Support Assistant role is located within the Health Administration Service in the Emergency Department at the Minneapolis VA. The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt - intake - and indexing of health and administrative information. The incumbent will interface with computer applications as well as numerous VA applications.

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
• English: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Education/Experience: Experience
• No experience required
• Education: Must possess a 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: GS-03: Entry Level Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04: Developmental Experience
• One year of experience in clerical - office - customer service - or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position
• OR Education
• One year of education above high school
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: KSA-1: Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients
• KSA-2: Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics
• KSA-3: Ability to meet - communicate - and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients
• KSA-4: Ability to use - and navigate between - various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e computer systems - web-based scheduling programs
• insurance collection system
• scanning software - multiple line phone systems
• electronic faxing programs) to support patient care
• GS-05: Full Performance Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• To be creditable - this experience must be equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-04 - and demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with current MSA responsibilities
• Experience at this level includes - but is not limited to: scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment
• interviewing patients for appointments
• referring patients to other medical specialty clinics
• providing information to patients necessary to resolve complaints
• interacting with both internal and external customers
• reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records - as well as administrative records
• verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system
• obtaining medical information from patients
• coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services
• and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines
• OR Education
• Two years of education above high school
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: KSA- 1: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
• KSA-2: Skill in customer service with the ability] to identify customer concerns - and refer to the appropriate staff - as necessary - to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• KSA-3: Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter - modify - and retrieve sensitive [medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records - scheduling systems - and/or reports
• KSA-4: Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting
• KSA-5: Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work
• KSA- 6: Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person - electronically - and/or by telephone - with [internal and external customers
• Preferred Experience: 1 year of health care related experience and use of multiple computer systems
• 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: Position works in the Emergency Department in a fast-paced environment and requires moving from sitting to standing and walking through the Emergency Department to provide various tasks.

Duties

• VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of this position are - but not limited to: Emergency Department scheduling Managing emergency notifications Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information Performing basic eligibility review including transportation eligibility Patient co-pays - humanitarian rates and preauthorization requirements for Sharing Agreement - CHAMPVA and TRICARE Completes ROI requests to and from the emergency department Work Schedule: Various tours - including weekend and holiday coverage with the exception of overnights Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized