Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent VHA White River Junction Healthcare system employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

The incumbent will serve as the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) and will be responsible for overseeing the administrative operations and the supervision of the Medical supports staff in the Health Administration service.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the work of lower medical support assistants. The employee establishes work priorities, identifies developmental training needs of employees and provides or arranges for training when required. He/she works closely with their Supervisor to identify and develop training which meets the needs of the MSA and administrative/clinical data capture requirements.
• The incumbent's responsibility for training includes, but is not limited to, in-service education of on-the-job skills, classroom instruction closely associated with actual inpatient/outpatient hospital clinical practices, and attitudes and relationship of position to professional staff.
• Incumbent is responsible for new employee orientation and is expected to work closely with new employees for the first (90) days
• Conducts regular staff meetings with the medical support assistants to update them on policy changes and new procedures.
• She/he attends required Section meetings and other meetings throughout the facility as deemed appropriate.
• The employee may serve on workgroups and/or committees as deemed appropriate. Incumbent may be called to assist in audits or studies relating to the clinical setting.
• Serves is a point of contact for resolving patient issues especially regarding appointment and scheduling concerns. Incumbent researches the issue and attempts to resolve it before it escalates to the Patient Representative, Clinical Service Chief, Chief of Staff or Center Director's Office.
• Maintains clerical guidelines and manuals as well as preparation of material to be used in training new employees. Training materials used shall be developed by their Supervisor and conform to the most up-to-date procedures. Incumbent will also be responsible for training auxiliary personnel such as temporary, work study, and volunteers used for intermittent heavy workload areas.
• Acts as liaison with the Medical Support Assistants, Medical staff, Nursing staff and other services offering expert advice on administrative details and procedures relative to areas and will evaluate problematic areas and present findings to their Supervisor and respective Service Line designees for corrective action. This necessitates the incumbent to be an authority on current VA regulations and published hospital guidelines that affect administrative functions. The vital importance of effective training in this section cannot be overemphasized. Incumbent will be constantly involved and have direct contact with staff and assist in orientation of Medical Support Assistants, Physicians, etc., and midlevel in administrative procedures.
• Incumbent works closely with providers and clinic staff to ensure all processes are compliant in accordance with VHA Directive 1230 - Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, VHA Directive 1232 - Consult Processes and Procedures, and VHA Directive 1231 - Outpatient Clinic Practice Management

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: 0700-1530 Monday-Friday no weekends no holidays
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When 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).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 child.
Child 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 $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Authorized
Functional Statement #: F03372
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph3.j.
• Educations: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.

1. Employees 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 standard.
2. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

GS-7 Supervisory Medical Support Assistant Grade Level Requirements:

(a) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-6] grade level.

(b) Assignment: Supervisory MSAs plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate MSA staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved clinic operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the MSA's activities. 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:

i. Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties [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 related to administrative functions in a patient support setting].

iv. Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of supervisory experience

References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G45 Medical Support Assistant VA Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: This is primarily a sedentary position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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.

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

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.


If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official college transcript with your application.

If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision:

• Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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