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SummaryThe VISN 19 Rocky Mountain Health Care Network is currently recruiting for one (1) Medical Support Assistant at the Salt Lake City VAMC within the Emergency Department, Nursing Service. The Primary purpose for this position is to assist the staff in direct patient care areas that facilitate the efficient administrative operations of the unit. Acts as unit receptionist and accurately interprets and transcribes physician and/or nurse practitioners orders.ResponsibilitiesThe Medical Support Assistant is considered a primary resource for patient care and patient flow information. The position typically has responsibility for the overall coordination by communication with specialized scheduling to ensure written follow-up appointments are made as needed for patient's requiring follow-up appointments after discharging home from the Emergency Department. The MSA, makes arrangements for special studies, consult tracking, verify doctor's orders and treatment orders, ensure completeness and accuracy of all actions/documentation, make transportation arrangements for patients, and relay medical test results to appropriate professional medical staff for immediate action. Interacts with customers, family members, visitors and co-workers in a courteous, tactful, helpful manner, exercising mature judgment and diplomacy. Stays up-to-date with regulations that concerns eligibility for care, control of medical records, availability of and requesting special tests and procedures. Runs errands in support of team functions as requested by the charge nurse, which may include running test specimens to the lab and transporting and picking up blood products. Problem solves office equipment malfunctions, obtaining IRM, Engineering, copier/fax technician, or Facilities Management support as indicated, and enters Electronic Work Orders (EWO) as needed in Vista. The MSA is responsible for performing a variety of technical support duties that facilitate the work of clinicians and/or other members of the medical facility who provide direct patient care. Reviews physician orders and enters correct data in CRT/VISTA. Processes various forms to ensure communication with professional staff and services to the patient. Completes admission paperwork with patient and/or their guardian prior to admission to inpatient areas which includes, but is not limited to patient belongings inventory and opting in or out of the hospital directory. Creates labels for labs ordered continuously throughout the day and distributes the labels to the proper location. Prints and displays on-call lists and places them in the physician and nursing station. Updates lists throughout the day as changes in the call roster are made. Calls Code Blue as needed. Verifies physician orders in a timely fashion. Coordinates studies based off orders in a timely manner, such as CT/MRI/Vascular Ultrasounds. Issues temporary receipts for patients' funds and deposits in safe after hours and/or transports to Agent Cashier during regular business hours. Receives and relays incoming and outgoing telephone, intercom, and electronic messages; receives and directs patients and visitors; answers routine inquires providing information about the office, its functions, and standard operating procedures; and makes appropriate referral of questions concerning patients' conditions. Orders and keeps record of supplies, and receives and distributes mail to the medical staff and patients. Other duties as assigned by lead and/or supervisor Work Schedule: Full Time, Varying Shifts, Day/Evening/WeekendsFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsBasic Requirements: U.S. citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; OR Education: One year above high school; OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for an entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Preferred Experience: Six (6) months to one (1) year of administrative experience in a health care setting Demonstration of excellent customer service skills Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Grade Determinations:The following criteria must be demonstrated for each grade level in the application package when determining the grade of candidates. PLEASE NOTE: To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MSA. Additionally, qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience at the next lower grade level. Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-03: Experience or Education - None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. - This is an entry level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs at this level receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-04: Experience or Education - One year of experience in clerical or office work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position OR two years of education above high school. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - candidates must demonstrate the following: Ability to meet, communicate and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to complete job assignments. Ability to use various types of office automation equipment and software. Ability to set up, organize, and maintain record systems. Assignment - This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member. Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679-05: Experience or Education - One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) OR 4 years of education above high school. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - candidates must demonstrate the following: Ability to operate computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to make appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Ability to identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Assignment - This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA performs a full range of duties. The 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: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; 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; 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 (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.) References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II, Appendix G45, Qualification Standard for Medical Support Assistant. Dated August 1, 2019The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary in nature. There is occasional carrying of light objects such as files, books, and paper; some walking, standing, bending, fingering. No special physical qualifications required.EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationReceiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
