Summary The Lead Medical Support Assistant is located at the Southern VA Healthcare System in the Community Care Service with the Casa Grande CBOC . This position is able to create detailed administrative notes that are used by clinical staff to initiate the sequence of care to the patients. Lead MSA performs a variety of support duties that facilitate the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide patient care. Responsibilities Duties: The Lead Medical Support Assistant (Lead MSA) position is assigned to the Primary Care and Community Clinics Service at the Southern AZ VA Health Care Services. Located in the Casa Grande Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CG CBOC), Primary Care and Community Clinics Service, the Lead Medical Support Assistant (Lead MSA) can create detailed administrative notes that are used by clinical staff to initiate the sequence of care to the patients. The Lead Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is proficient in all appointment scheduling and consult functions. The Lead MSA provides administrative support and has overall responsibility for coordinating, directing a wide variety of administrative, technical and clinic support in areas assigned. This position provides support work in connection with the care and treatment given to patients in 1 of 7 Primary Care clinics. Lead MSA perform a variety of support duties to the Supervisory MSA (Office Manager) that help facilitate clinic operations and the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide patient care. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts. * Conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work. Ensures accurate and timely scheduling of appointments. Daily review of active/pending consults, Electronic Wait List, Recall list, Return to Clinic orders, Online Scheduling requests, and VEText communications for accuracy and disposition. *Responsible for scheduling appointments; including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Other assignments include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults *Lead Advanced Medical Support Assistant standardized operating procedures, develop and provide staff training, resolve daily workplace issues and maintain efficient workflow. Provide miscellaneous support to the SMSA and AMSAs of the clinic and administrative teams for Primary Care. The work requires a practical knowledge of computerized data entry and information processing systems, the medical facility's organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment, and a practical knowledge of the standard procedures, medical records, and medical terminology of the unit supported. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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. Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Possess six months of 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 Medical Support Assistant; OR, Possess at least 1 year of post-high school coursework; OR, Possess an equivalent combination of experience and education to perform the duties of Medical Support Assistant. Grade Determination GS-07: Specialized Experience: Applicants musts possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and can demonstrate that you meet the following: 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. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. Ability to provide staff development and training. 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 of incomplete work across multiple clinics. Assignment. The Lead MSA is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found 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, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45 Dated August 1, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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.