Medical Support Assistant-Intermittent

SummaryThis position is an intermittent work schedule - which is periodic and irregular so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance. The Inpatient Medical Support Assistant (MSA) functions an initial point of contact for the VAMC inpatient ward units. Duties included - but not limited to: coordination of patient admissions. Verification of doctor's orders and treatment orders. This position requires a knowledge of computerized data entry - and software related to patient care.QualificationsTo qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/26/2026. Medical Support AssistantBasic RequirementsCitizenship: Citizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance to 38 U.S.C.7407(a)Experience and Education: Experience: No experience requiredOR Education: High school diploma - General Education Development equivalency certificate - or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of EducationLicensure/Certification/Registration: None requiredGrandfathering Provision: All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series - and grade held - which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupationFor employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned - promoted - or changed to a lower grade within the occupationEmployees 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 standardIf an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupationForeign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programsPhysical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirementsEnglish Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Grade Determinations: Knowledge of MSA Practices: To be creditable - the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient settingExperience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic settingQuality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade levelFor all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity (difficulty) - and range of varieties as described in this standard - at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the timePart-Time Experience: Part-time experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship for the full-time workweekFor example - an MSA employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of serviceIn addition to meeting the Basic Requirements - candidates must possess the required specialized experience and be able to demonstrate all Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs) as summarized belowGS-3 Grade Experience or Education (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirementsGS-4 Grade Experience (Developmental Level): One year of experience in clerical - office - customer service - or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the positionOR Education: One year of education above high schoolAND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 facilitate medical care for patientsAbility to use - and navigate between - various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. - computer systems - web-based scheduling programsinsurance collection systemscanning software - multiple line phone systemselectronic faxing programs) to support patient careKnowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patientsSkill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinicsGS-5 Grade Experience (Full Performance Level): One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade levelOR - Education: Two years of education above high schoolAND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter - modify - and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records - scheduling systems - and/or reportsAdvanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patientsAbility to schedule medical appointments in a clinical settingAbility to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support workAbility to communicate effectively and professionally in person - electronically - and/or by telephone - with internal and external customersSkill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns - and refer to the appropriate staff - as necessary - to ensure a satisfactory resolutionReferences: Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II Appendix G45Effective Date: 5/7/2026Medical Support Assistant Qualification StandardGS-3 - 4 - 5The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5 You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.DutiesVA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include (but not limited to): Provide specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery modelRecommend changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelinesExpertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinicsCoordinate with the patient care team to review clinic utilizationRequest medical records from community healthcare facilitiesWork with the multiphone line system and have working knowledge of computer systems and phone etiquetteKnowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by cliniciansAdjust the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needsAssist the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutionsDocument appropriate information into the electronic recordMonitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedureManage patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issuesMaintaining office supplies - copying and storing necessary forms - maintaining office equipmentEnsure timely filing of patient paperwork in their chart - requesting records Other duties as assignedWork Schedule: Intermittent work scheduleIntermittent employment is defined as non-full time employmentSchedule may include days - nights - and weekendsDuty days and hours will be discussed with supervisorRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: The salary range will be prorated based upon intermittent hours workedCompetitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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)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 childChild 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 $416.66Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000