Medical Support Assistant

Description:

The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking a highly energetic candidate to fill the Medical Support Assistant vacancy within the Community Care Department. Ideal candidate's resume will articulate exceptional skills in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns and ensure overall customer satisfaction and resolution, ability to operate computerized programs, and scheduling of appointments.

Requirements:

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 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.
• Experience and Education:
  • Six months experience: 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 above high school; or
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Grade Requirements:

• GS-3 Medical Support Assistant:
  • In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (note: experience must be demonstrated in resume in order to receive credit):
    • Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.
    • Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.
    • Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.
• GS-4 Medical Support Assistant:
  • In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must possess 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 two years of education above high school (transcripts required); AND
  • Applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs (note: experience must be demonstrated in resume in order to receive credit.):
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
    • Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.
• GS-5 Medical Support Assistant:
  • In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4, or four years of education above high school (transcript required); AND
  • Applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs (note: experience must be demonstrated in resume in order to receive credit.):
    • 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.
    • Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
    • Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
    • Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
    • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
    • Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; walking up to 1 hour; Hearing (aid permitted);