About this role
Job SummaryThis position is within the Health Administration Service at the Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: providing clerical support in a hospital ward, knowledge of patient admissions(determining eligibility) and outpatient processing procedures. Typical positions that would lead to this experience include, but are not limited to medical clerk, eligibility clerk, and travel clerk. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a bachelor's degree or four years of successfully completed college study leading to a bachelor's degree. (Copy of Transcript Required). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major DutiesThe primary duties of the Health Benefits Assistant include but are not limited to: Interview Veterans, or their designated representative, in order to collect demographic information relative to their finances, insurance, address, work history, etc. Contacts may be in person, by telephone, or by mail, and require timely and accurate input into the VA data base system. Maintain workload reports relative to these duties. Advise Veterans of their entitlement to various medical benefits and discuss copayment requirements of Veterans in discretionary categories. Responsible for researching and handling complex questions relative to their area of expertise referred by the supervisor. Expected to have extensive knowledge of the hospital admitting procedures and policies, entering in patients information into VISTA for hospital admissions, and gathering information for said admission into the facility. Provide exceptional customer service by exceeding the customer's expectations with respect and concern; focusing on the details of the customer's needs and helps the customer arrive at a satisfactory solution to the problem. Participate in the facility's Outreach events, promoting the VA. Give on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices, instruct employees on changes in work procedures, provide written instructions/documentation of changes. May serve on various hospital committees and/or VISN or national work groups relative to his/her position, or at the request of the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD03943A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.