About this role
Job SummaryThe Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) serves as a Medical Support for Surgical Service and has the ability to fully perform the duties/functions related to all aspects of the full performance Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-06 position in Charleston especially scheduling in a large clinical service line, especially Surgical Service. *The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
QualificationsApplicants 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 Language Proficiency: Applicants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: Some experience of 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: High school diploma with desire for some post graduate 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: Must possess one (1) full year (52 weeks) of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Preferred Experience: Strong background in scheduling and a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology. Experience as an AMSA in a large clinical service line, especially Surgery VHA / Clinical Scheduling System Proficiency & Electronic Waiting List Experience VHA Scheduling Directive Knowledge or Equivalent Regulatory Scheduling Experience Cross-Organizational Coordination Experience Patient Identification Accuracy & Insurance Capture Experience Customer Service with Geriatric, Veteran, or Cognitively Vulnerable Populations Ophthalmology, Surgical Service, or Specialty Outpatient Clinic Experience Specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 performing appointment scheduling or patient access management as a primary duty in a medical, clinical, or directly patient-facing healthcare administrative setting. Experience with VistA/CPRS or a successor VA scheduling system in a clinical or medical administrative role 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the grade of GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work of the positions is primarily sedentary; however, some walking, standing, bending stooping and carrying of small items such as files may be required.
Major DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position provides medical administrative support to the Surgical Service and is an integral member of the outpatient clinic team to effectively carry out day-to-day administrative operations of the clinic. Provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. When records are received, the incumbent will ensure that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) by sending documents to scanning. The incumbent responsible for coordinating information and actions related to patient care services on the phone, including, but not limited to the following: Familiar with the MSA related VHA Directives for: Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, Process for Managing Patients when patient demand exceeds current clinic capacity, priority scheduling for Surgical Services and Inpatient hospital care. Knowledge of patient eligibility for VA medical care, priorities for care, release of information, HIPPA laws and the Medical Fee Basis programs. Performs duties including, but not limited to: updating demographic information, updating BMS Whiteboard, collecting insurance for third party collections and processing patient movements. Must demonstrate technical expertise in the use of multiple systems (i.e Vista and GUI) and current computer technology. Skills in compiling readily available data from prescribed sources. Schedules appointments and utilizing the electronic Waiting List in a timely manner. Possess working knowledge of inpatient and clinic processes and services. Provide administrative support to variety of staff and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Must provide excellent customer service and must adhere to VA local, National and Service policies and procedures. Performs other clerical duties in the Surgical Service as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Ad-hoc available Functional Statement #: 62678-FRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.