Medical Support Assistant - Specialty Care

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is seeking a Medical Support Assistant to join the inpatient team. The role supports patient care through scheduling, record-keeping, and communications within busy hospital units.

Entry to full-performance levels GS-3 to GS-5 with basic requirements including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma, English proficiency, and the ability to work with diverse teams within inpatient settings.

Qualifications

• Citizenship to work in the U.S. is required.
• No experience required for entry level.
• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Operate computerized programs and systems to enter, modify, or retrieve patient information and schedule data.
• Schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• Communicate professionally with internal and external customers via multiple channels.
• Assist in recording patient messages and coordinating follow-up with physicians.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Office software proficiency

Medical terminology

Patient scheduling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years of education beyond high school (GS-5)

Tools

Electronic health records (EHR) familiarity

Job description

The incumbent is a vital member of the inpatient healthcare team at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS). The inpatient hospital units at MVAHCS encompass the following Integrated Clinical Communities: Specialty Medicine, Specialty Surgery Care, Intensive Care Unit, Rehabilitation and Extended Care, Community Living Center and Hospice and Palliative Care, and Mental and Behavioral Health.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS

GS-3 MSA (Entry Level)

You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above.

GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level)

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

OR

2. Education. One year of education above high school.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• 1. 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.
• 2. 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.
• 3. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
• 4. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level)

1. Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

OR

2. Education. Two years of education above high school.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• 1. 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.
• 2. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
• 3. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• 4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
• 5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
• 6. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov)

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.