Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

A Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will perform duties to include scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the electronic medical record and medical systems. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. Responsibilities duties include but are not limited to :

GS 04 MSA (Developmental Level) It is expected that MSAs at this level receive minor and less frequent guidance from higher experienced staff members for more difficult tasks. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to :

• Scheduling and rescheduling patients for treatment
• Interviewing patients for appointments
• Referring patients to other medical specialty clinics
• Providing information to patients necessary to resolve VA Handbook complaints
• 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
• Scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines

MSAs at this level refer all questions regarding medical attention to the appropriate health care team member.

GS 05 MSA (Full Performance Level) At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to :

Work Schedule : Day Shift - Will be discussed in interview. 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 trial period. 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. 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. Six months experience of 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, (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. 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 : MSA, GS 04 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience in 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 years of education above high school. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below :

MSA, GS 05 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level; OR, Education. Four years of education above high school. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below :

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https : / / www.va.gov / ohrm / QualificationStandards / . 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 04 to GS 05.

Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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