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Summary The Advanced Level Medical Support Assistant (MSA) position serves as a clinic clerk and is a foundational role within Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS). This is an open continuous announcement until 9/30/2024. Effective 10/19/23 a 15% recruitment/relocation incentive has been authorized for well qualified MSAs and AMSAs. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) who is responsible for assistance to Veterans providing a smooth process for the management of his/her outpatient appointments as well as support work in connection with the care and treatment given to the Veterans by performing a variety of support duties that facilitate the work of an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery for specialty care, ensuring that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments, working in collaboration with the appropriate clinic, develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. The AMSA will work with the Lead AMSA in setting priorities and deadlines, providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures. The York Campus is a network referral center for mental health services, long term psychiatric care, geriatrics, and extended care. TVHS provides a full range of specialized medical services including MRI, electrophysiological studies, catheter ablations, atherectomies, stent placements, laser surgery, dialysis, CT scanning, cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, otolaryngology, anesthesiology, percutaneous angioplasty, diagnosis and surgical intervention of head and neck tumors, peripheral vascular surgery, digital angiography, ambulatory surgery, brainstem auditory invoked response testing, major joint prosthetic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, alcohol and drug treatment, intermediate and geriatric medicine, a geriatric evaluation management program, mammography, preventive medicine, and podiatry. The AMSA was established to ensure assistance to Veterans providing a smooth process for the management of his/her outpatient appointments as well as support work in connection with the care and treatment given to the Veterans by performing a variety of support duties that facilitate the work of an interdisciplinary coordinated care for specialty care services. The AMSA will review the clinics appointment schedule to ensure that clinic utilization is optimized and effectively supports the needs of the clinics as well as the needs of the Veterans. Develop and maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. This position includes, but is not limited to, work that requires a practical knowledge of computerized data entry and information processing systems, setting priorities and deadlines, participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether a patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients who may be receiving care at multiple VA's or in the community, the medical facility's organization and services, rules and regulations governing eligibility and treatment, practical knowledge of the standard procedures, medical records, medical terminology, security of sensitive electronic files, process improvement, and customer service. Perform other duties as assigned. The Clinic AMSA GS-0679-6 will be given direction and guidance by the Clinic Lead MSA, GS-0679-7 and/or the Clinic Supervisory MSA, GS-0679-8.Meets the needs of customers while supporting the VA mission. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, families, Veteran representatives, all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately, Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: NOT AVAILABLE Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Approved. Recruitment/relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified Candidate. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 Applicants 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. 1) Experience. Six months experience of clerical, office or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; or 2) Education. One year above high school; or 3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 4) Certification. None required. 5) 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. 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-6 In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following experience: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic, monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility ; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when [patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Ability to collaborate and]communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met. 2. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. 3. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns. 4. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care. 5. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. 6. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Support Assistant" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix 045. - Title 38 Hybrid Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, dated August 1, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The majority of work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. 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.