Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Allied Health Professional

Demonstrates Courtesy and Professionalism: As frontline contact with patients and staff, the A/MSA sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA. A high degree of tact and diplomacy is required when dealing with veterans who have multiple health problems and who may be frustrated with the administrative process associated with diagnosis and treatment. A caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the phone. The A/MSA screens/receives phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determines the nature of request and provides the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes.

Consult and Appointment Management: The MSA is responsible for following through on providers' orders including scheduling appropriate consultation requests, labs, x-rays and various other specialty clinics available at the CBOC. Incumbent will schedule all appointments with the patient's input, either in person or by phone. This may require a high level of coordination to avoid patients having to make multiple trips to the clinic whenever possible. Notifies supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes. Daily review of active/pending consults.

Patient appointments will be scheduled in accordance with all applicable Scheduling Directives. Appointments are entered upon receipt and entered correctly. Correct scheduling errors within one day of receipt. Return appointments will be scheduled before the patient leaves the check-out area and given a card or letter which details the date and time of their next appointment, if desired. Cancel clinic availability in scheduling grids for assigned Teamlets when notified of clinician's absence. The MSA will assist the veteran in creating a beneficiary travel request via paper form or use of the veteran kiosk.

Meets, Communicates, and Interacts. Demonstrates ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and with other health care team members in order to complete job assignments. Operates Computerized Programs. Demonstrates ability to use various types of office automation equipment and software, to include ability to set up, organize, and maintain record systems. Utilizes such programs and databases to make appointments in a clinical setting. Maintains patient confidentiality with information, per HIPM requirements.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm. Flexibility in the tour available, with potential start times ranging from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., depending on the needs of the service and the selected candidate.

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).