To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/16/2025.
Basic Requirements:
(a) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
(b) Experience and Education:
(1)
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
(2)
Education - One year above high school;
OR
(3)
Experience/Education Combination - Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
(c)
Certification. None required
(d)
English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grade Requirements
a. Creditable Experience
(1)
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 setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting.
(2)
Quality 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 level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and a range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
3)
Part-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 to the full-time workweek. For 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 service.
.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
GS-07 Lead Medical Support Assistant:
(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-06 grade level. To qualify for the GS-07 level MSA you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level as described in the following KSAs:
(b) Assignment: The Lead MSA [is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.] For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.(c)
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below:
- Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources.
- Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
- Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
- Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect [and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
- Ability to provide staff development and training.
- Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics.
References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant, GS-679.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary (6- 8 hrs.) although, there is some walking (I hr.), bending (1hr), and carrying of bulky files (l- 10 lbs.) and some extended periods of standing (2 hrs.)
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.