Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Medical Support Assistant

The employee is at the advanced performance level for a Medical Support Assistant (MSA), performing a full range of duties in Health Administration Service at VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System, and has met the basic requirements for this position as outlined in VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G, page 11- G45-3 & II-G45-4. The Advanced MSA coordinates with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensures that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic and makes any necessary adjustments. The employee develops/maintains effective and efficient communication with patients and/or caregivers, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge, communicates with non-VA medical facilities; facilitates/processes secure messaging with the patient and team; notifies patients of normal lab results; develops and manages a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc.). Other assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Participating in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; may work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entering appropriate information into the electronic record; monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work); participating and providing input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions; participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. The Advanced MSA utilizes multiple computer applications in the performance of above duties. Successful performance in this position requires knowledge of administrative and department procedures for the management of records and forms, information security and exchange, management of reports and data, scheduling of patient appointments, telephone care, and public relations/customer service. Employee provides rotational coverage as assigned between the various areas within assigned facility.