Lead Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The Lead Medical Support Assistant (Lead MSA) for the Health Service Area (HSA) 5.1 Float Pool (legacy VISN 20), acts as the primary preceptor for all new Medical Support Assistants (MSAs), including Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSAs).

The selectee for this position will work either the White City, OR VAMC or Seattle, WA VAMC location, dependant on selectees geographic location. Will be working phyisically on station.

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Duties

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Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Workforce Leadership and Training

• Serves as the primary preceptor for all new MSAs and AMSAs in the HSA 5.1 (legacy VISN 20) Float Pool
• Monitors work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and maintains efficient workflow
• Assigns workload to individual AMSAs/MSAs and provides guidance on changes to policies and procedures
• Distributes and balances workload across staff
• Orients and provides on-the-job training for new and current AMSAs/MSAs in the HSA 5.1 (legacy VISN 20) Float Pool
• Organizes the work structure of assigned areas
• Acts as liaison between AMSAs/MSAs and staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work
• Ensures accuracy and timeliness of the consult management process in accordance with national Scheduling Directives and Consult Management policies
• Assures coverage of the HSA 5.1 (legacy VISN 20) MSA Float Pool

Patient and Customer Service

• Serves as the front-line contact for patients and staff, setting the tone for perceptions of health care service quality at the VA
• Exercises a high degree of tact and diplomacy when working with Veterans who have multiple health problems
• Provides supportive assistance to Veterans to ensure prompt attention to their health care coordination needs
• Performs at a competent level in all patient-facing duties

Scheduling and Care Coordination

• Schedules internal and non-VA medical appointments when services are not available at a VA facility
• Coordinates with internal and private-sector points of contact to authorize and schedule care
• Receives consult requests for long-term and short-term authorization of outpatient non-VA care
• Tracks pre- and post-appointment follow-ups
• Manages clinical documentation and correspondence with Veterans and non-VA providers

Administrative Support

• Delivers administrative support to staff and supervisors associated with (legacy VISN 20) HSA 5.1 MSA Float Pool policies and directives
• Completes other duties and special projects as assigned by HSA 5.1 (legacy VISN 20) MSA Float Pool leadership

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• 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. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that 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.
• 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 :

Lead Medical Support Assistant, GS-07.

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   • 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.
   • Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
   • 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.
   • 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.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 year MSA experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

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: 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:

Additional information

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.