Summary Veterans Integrated Service Network 22 (VISN 22) Desert Pacific Health Care Network is currently recruiting a Few Medical Support Assistants (MSAs) for Eight (8) VA Medical Centers throughout our healthcare network. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 16, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred at regular intervals or as vacancies become available. Previous candidates need not reapply. Responsibilities Please Note: This is an "Open Continuous Announcement" that will be used for filling Medical Support Assistant positions for any of the services located within VISN 22 Desert Pacific Health Care Network until April 16, 2024.Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available and may be referred more than once. Previous candidates need not reapply. The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is assigned to one of the Eight (8) VA Medical Centers: New Mexico VA Health Care System (Albuquerque, NM) Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (Prescott, AZ) Phoenix VA VA Health Care System (Phoenix, AZ) Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (Tucson, AZ) Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (Los Angeles, CA) Loma Linda VA Health Care System (Loma Linda, CA) Long Beach VA Health Care System (Long Beach, CA) San Diego VA Health Care System (San Diego, CA) Typical duties include, but are not limited to: Scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults. Entering no-show information. Monitoring electronic wait lists. Preparing for clinic visits. Establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records. Monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility. Obtaining medical information from patients. Coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services. Ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit. Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information. Processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Varies, including Weekends, Nights and Holidays. Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency. 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 3.j. Experience and Education: Six months experience: 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. One year above high school; or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-3: Experience: None, Beyond Basic Requirements listed above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):(Candidate must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below): Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments. Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems. Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care. -------------------------------------------------------------------- GS-04: In addition to the Basic Requirements for employment listed above, the candidates must posses at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-03 grade level. Experience: One year of experience in a 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: Two (2) years of education above high school Or; Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): (Candidate must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below): Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients. Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care. Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients. Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics. --------------------------------------------------------------------- GS-5 (Full Performance Level): In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4 Grade Level. Experience: One year experience equivalent to the GS-04 includes: interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Or; Education: Four (4) years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (Candidate must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below): Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679. The Full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary in nature with some walking, standing and bending. Occasionally requires moderate physical activity, e.g., carrying light items such as books and papers or lifting stacks of boxes or records. Work is typically performed in an office setting; adequately lighted, quiet, and controlled atmosphere. Follows prescribed safety procedures; uses appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving heavy objects; reports observed potential safety hazards to appropriate personnel; removes or corrects safety hazards when possible; utilizes appropriate sanitary or aseptic techniques, when applicable. 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. 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.