Supervisory Medical Support Assistant Job in San Francisco, CA

Vacancy No. CBSW-12693508-25-MKH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $72,103.00 to $93,740.00 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/19/2025 Close Date 2/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
San Francisco, CA


Summary

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant works at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), of the Sierra Pacific network (VISN 21). This position is located within the Office of Community Care (OCC).

Duties

The Supervisory MSA is responsible for managing and supervising the appointment management services within OCC and supervises one Lead Advanced Medical Support Assistant and ten Advanced Medical Support Assistants (MSAs) within the program. He/she collaborates with and has an extensive knowledge of all clinical applications, services and programs, to include but not limited services within the OCC. The Supervisory MSA is flexible, multi-skilled and creative in solving everyday challenges unique to this standalone service. The Supervisory MSA assigns work and daily priorities to the Lead and Advanced MSAs and ensures the goals and mission of the Office and Health Care System are being met. S/he is responsible for all performance management functions related to Lead and Advanced MSAs.

The Supervisory MSA applies principles, methods and guidelines to evaluate administrative operations in order to determine best practices for organizing administrative work and the flow of information throughout the service. S/he must take into consideration the staff ratios and skill mixes needed to accomplish the work. Analysis results in recommendations for improvement and implementation of new systems and processes that are discussed with the rest of the management team for decisions regarding the efficiency of service operations. The Supervisory MSA performs duties related to the receipt, intake and indexing of health and administrative information.

The Supervisory MSA will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA), applications. The Supervisory MSA will serve as a backup for time and leave management processing. The Supervisory MSA must possess a high degree of tact and diplomacy when dealing with Veterans who have multiple medical problems and may be frustrated with the administrative process associated with coordinating treatment with community care providers.

The Supervisory MSA provides a variety of complex and unique duties in support of the MISSION Act. The Supervisory Advanced Medical Support Assistant will conduct and lead daily team huddles to assist with the coordination of patient care management, deploying customer contact and call center strategies, monitoring performance of the unit and make recommendations for improving the Veteran access to care and experience with VA and community care providers. The Supervisory MSA plans and directs programs within the Office of Community Care. The Supervisory MSA is responsible for implementing and deploying operational changes when necessary to ensure care in the community is provide in accordance with MISSION Act guidelines.

The Supervisory MSA has full supervisory responsibility of at least one lead MSA and ten Advanced MSA's. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to; assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff, resolving complex problems to ensure patient requirements are met. Analyzing staffing and workload patterns to ensure appropriate coverage of workload needs. Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting and adjusting priorities. Determining appropriate tours of duty. Approving or denying leave. Evaluating performance, rating employees, and recommending performance awards. Interviews and selects subordinate staff. Advises Program Manager with process improvement suggestions and new strategies by extracting and analyzing data to better manage care access and ensure compliant appointment management practices per the MISSION Act and scheduling directive guidelines.

The Supervisory MSA manages CPRS view alerts from providers, correspondence from external community care affiliates, caregivers, family support staff and Veterans for needed actions involving patient care and follow-up. Ensures subordinate Lead and Advanced MSAs appropriately manage inquiries and requests for care in the community to ensure requests are routed to the appropriate external provider and scheduled timely in accordance with MISSION Act and VA guidelines. Supervisory MSA has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the Lead and Advanced MSAs activities. In certain situations, the Supervisory MSA will be required to conduct scheduling assignments if no Lead MSAs or AMSAs are available to schedule patients or if the situation is complex or emotionally or politically charged.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm or as determined by supervisor.
Compressed/Flexible: At Supervisor discretion
Telework: No
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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 1 year of experience at equivalent to the next lower level of GS-07.
  • 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.
Grade Determinations: GS-08
  • 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.
Demonstrating Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities ( KSAs below.)
i. 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
ii. 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.
iii. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.
iv. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.
v. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix 45 Qualification Standards for 0679 Medical Support Assistants. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. It occasionally requires carrying of light objects such as files, books and papers; some walking, standing, and bending. No special physical qualifications are required.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Receiving 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your most recent SF-50 (not an award SF-50)

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12693508.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Molly Hwe
Address
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.