Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Spirit Lake (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) to lead and oversee a team of MSAs, including at least one Lead MSA, ensuring efficient patient support and compliance with VA policies.

The role requires directing administrative and supervisory duties, coordinating with clinic staff, and developing staff through briefings and training. Strong communication, fiscal awareness, and governance of patient care standards are essential for success.

Qualifications

• One year of supervisory experience in patient-support settings.
• Ability to manage staff, assign work, and evaluate performance.
• Strong collaboration and customer service with internal and external customers.
• Experience in briefings, orientations, and staff development.
• Ability to forecast budgets and manage fiscal matters.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct MSAs’ activities and supervise at least one subordinate team leader.
• Evaluate work, resolve complex problems, and implement improved operations.
• Prepare data reports for senior management to track performance.

Skills

Staff leadership

Administrative supervision

Customer service

Staff training

Budget forecasting

Education

HS Diploma

GED equivalency

Proficiency cert (Education)

Job description

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position serves as the direct line supervisor for all assigned MSA staff which includes at least (1) Lead MSA and is responsible for the daily oversight of the area in which they are assigned, providing direct supervision, guidance and leadership. This position is a foundational resource in providing technical counsel to meet procedural, legal, and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of patients.

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are must submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.
• Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• Certification: None Required
• English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.

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-8: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.

-AND-

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below:

1. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
2. Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.
3. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.
4. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training [in a patient support setting.
5. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.

Assignment:

For all supervisory assignments the Supervisory MSA must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety. Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics. They have full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor, or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to evaluating the work of subordinate staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the subordinate lead, supervisor, and MSA's activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports to senior management in support of tracking measures.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves the health and well-being.