Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant is assigned to The Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City Medical Center (VA-SLC) in Utah is a level 1A stateof-the-art patient care facility with comprehensive and complex radiographic and imaging programs. SLCVAMC with multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), providing tertiary care in Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Mental Health, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, ER Medicine, Surgical and Medical Subspecialties, and advanced.

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Duties

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This position is responsible for the direction of a highly complex consolidated Radiology program that includes General Radiography, Fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, General Ultrasound, Vascular Ultrasound, and Interventional Radiology programs. The supervisor performs duties related to the receipt, intake, and indexing of health and administrative information and supervises all Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSA) in the service.

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) is responsible for ensuring the management of accurate and timely patient care coordination in all divisions; modalities of Radiology, coordinating all clinic administrative support activities in conjunction with the Administrative Officer (AO), Chief of Radiology, and other staff to provide administrative staff coverage to assure quality patient care coordination. Will serve as an active member of the Radiology supervisory team, informing the AO on all matters requiring their attention and/or action. Participates in the formulation of plans; determination of goals with service; conducts Continuous Quality Improvement reviews in program areas. Supervisor MSA is delegated authority to accomplish assigned programs, performing the full range of supervisory duties and responsibilities to effectively utilize the manpower and resources allocated to the Radiology. This includes setting team goals and technically directing the work of subordinates. It requires planning, assigning, reviewing, and accepting/rejecting work done by subordinates. The Supervisor MSA will make work assignments, set/negotiate deadlines, and designate completion dates. Supervisor MSA makes final decisions on selections, evaluates performance, and takes disciplinary action when necessary. Coordinates leave, approving time, arranging cross coverage to ensure adequate coverage for assigned areas and other related activities of personnel assigned to Radiology. The supervisor instructs employees in assigned tasks and job techniques, conducts formal and informal on-the-job training, and answers questions on procedures, policies, and directives. Works with subordinates to complete appointment processing in a timely manner. It also involves providing education (and re-education) to referring clinicians on how to timely/completely/accurately complete radiology orders. The Supervisor MSA evaluates and determines results, plans and institutes administrative methods and procedures; establishes or recommends program objectives. Acts as a representative of the AO, with full responsibility to make decisions assuring maximum utilization of personnel. Develops and administers a formal continuous improvement plan or method for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of all Radiology activities. Analyzes and reports information gathered as a basis in making improvements in efficiency to the veteran. Plans training for Medical Support Assistants, develops/ maintains an efficient work force of employees which is an integral part of the clinic operation. Provides technical and clerical assistance to the staff on all administrative matters. The purpose of the work is to develop, manage, coordinate, improve and oversee needed administrative services for the various Radiology modalities. Work contributes to the improvement of patient care delivery with the goal of providing a seamless continuum of care. Assessment of productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of program operations; to analyze/resolve problems are necessary components of the work performed in order to provide recommendations to resolve problems in administration of the programs.

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf

Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf

Work Schedule : 7:00-3:30, Monday-Friday

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

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)

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

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 54651-0

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.
• Must pass TB examination.
• 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.
• Experience: None
• Education : High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration . None.

Grandfathering Provision: Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
2. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.

• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met:

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-8

1. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience
   above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and 13 empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.

(b) Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.

(c) Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.

(d) Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.

(e) Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.

Preferred Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: The work performed is predominately clerical in nature and requires no special physical standards. The work is usually performed in an office setting, working with others and/or alone. As typical in an office setting, there is the possibility for multiple distractions from normal operating functions and the incumbent is expected to be able to physically perform the duties of the position, aides permitted (which may include walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending.) The work may also include the need for light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) of work materials (i.e.: books, binders, papers, etc.).

Education

IMPORTANT: If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript with your application. If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision:

• Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official)

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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