Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

The primary duties of the Medical Support Assistant (MSA) may include but are not limited to:

• Scheduling appointments, including interpreting, and verifying provider orders, assignments, ensuring encounter forms are completed 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; performing basic eligibility, co-pays, and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage.
• Interpret and communicate requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities.
• Schedule appointments by following VHA Outpatient Scheduling Directive and will follow Standard Operating Procedures.
• Utilize the Electronic Waiting List accurately in a timely manner.
• Notifies his/her supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes.
• Daily review of Consults (medical/provider), active/pending text orders, Encounter reports, Electronic Wait List, Recall list and Audio care communications for accuracy and disposition.
• Initiates patient appointments through (VSE/CPRS) by use of the scheduling menus to schedule lab, x-ray, and EKG tests with other clinical services, necessary for physician clinics. Incumbent explains necessary test preparation to patients and records information such as date, exam type, and procedure required on appointment card.
• Schedules and coordinates appointments for return visits and future appointments to reduce multiple trips for Veteran.
• Ensures clinics are blocked when physicians are on leave or for scheduled meetings/training to prevent patient cancellations.
• Utilize Recall Reminder Software policies when scheduling is beyond the 30-day request.
• Utilize no show/missed opportunity rules by the Standard Operating Procedures stated in Appointment Management document.
• Utilizes a computer-generated appointment list to complete daily clinic activities making additions and deletions as necessary for computer entry upon completion of clinic.
• Manages the telephone triage and carefully and briefly questions Veterans about medical problems and determines if any emergency situations exist by following the trigger word policy MCM-11-090 i.e., chest pain, shortness of breath, blackouts, GI bleeding or any medical need for immediate attention, working closely with the team nurses and physician.
• Manages scheduling, medical data, and patient movement to bypass the usual waiting time and ensures that appropriate administrative actions are taken.
• Provides excellent customer service and must adhere to VA Local, National and Service policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: 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: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 564-01609-F; 564-01610-F; 564-01611-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs