Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support AssistantThe Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is responsible for 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: interacting with both internal and external customers over the phone and in person, establishing and maintaining medical charts as well as administrative records, scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate attention to appropriate health care team member. Routinely communicates with physicians, case managers, and other allied health care professional staff using sound interpersonal skills and is constantly aware of the sensitive information that is being communicated. The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. The scope of this work is frequently accomplished under strict deadlines due to time constraints and patient volumes. The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous VistA and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) applications. The MSA will participate in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinical staff to determine the daily needs of the service.Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pmPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).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: Ad-hoc available.