Lead Medical Support Assistant

Summary Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA is looking to fill a Lead Medical Support Assistant position within the Health Administration Service Line at their clinic in Yakima, WA. The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise. Recruitment incentives may be authorized for new Federal appointees, in accordance with agency policy. Responsibilities The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of MSA assignments and workflow, especially in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, inpatient/outpatient, specialties, and/or community resources. The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. Uses Electronic Health Record (EHR) in conjunction with approved scheduling software to view, process and schedule orders. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Enters/updates or verify insurance information per VHA policies and directives. Assist and train other Medical Support Assistants as needed. Provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability and utilization to ensure that schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics. Communicates with other agencies, departments, and non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence, manage follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc. Processes incoming secure messaging, coordinate with care team, participate in team huddles, and team meetings. Sets priorities and deadlines, identify incomplete encounters, and communicate findings, reinforce the plan of care, enter appropriate information into the electronic records. Monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements, verifies and validates accuracy in patient systems. Provides guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures, creating and maintaining employee work schedules. Acts as a liaison among MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day to day conflicts. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized, per agency policy Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement : 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 3j. Specialized Experience must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level (1) collaborating with medical clinicians across multiple disciplines, scheduling interdisciplinary appointments, and possessing an advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. 2. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient care systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. 3. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities to meet deadlines. 4. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desires effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. 5. Ability to provide staff development and training. 6. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact if incomplete work across multiple clinics. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/117, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679. Published August 1, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing or walking however, there are no physical requirements for the 0679 Medical support Assistant occupation. Education Education is not used for substitution of experience at the GS 7 level. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.