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:
- Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
- 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 3.j.
- Experience and Education:
- Six months experience of 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 position; or
- Education. One year above high school; or
- Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
GS-5 (Full Performance Level): In addition to meeting the
Basic Requirements, candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4 Grade Level.
- Experience: One year experience equivalent to the GS-04 includes:interacting with both internal and external customers; reviewing and documenting medical outpatient and inpatient electronic health records, 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.
- Education: Four (4) years of education above high school.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (Candidate 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 reports.
- Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients.
- Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
- Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers.
- Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.The 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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 06.
Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary in nature with some walking, standing and bending. Occasionally requires moderate physical activity, e.g., carrying light items such as books and papers or lifting stacks of boxes or records. Work is typically performed in an office setting; adequately lighted, quiet, and controlled atmosphere. Follows prescribed safety procedures; uses appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving heavy objects; reports observed potential safety hazards to appropriate personnel; removes or corrects safety hazards when possible; utilizes appropriate sanitary or aseptic techniques, when applicable.