Summary The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSAs) is assigned to the Compensation and Pension (C&P) section, Primary Care Service. C&P is a special interest program that requires frequent monitoring to meet the performance requirements mandated by VHA regulations/directives and Public Laws. Responsibilities The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSAs) is the primary sources of patient care and patient flow information. The position is responsible for the overall coordination of clinic cancellations, clinic schedules to include appointment scheduling and changes, arrangements for special studies, appointment check ins/check outs, consult tracking, verification of doctor's orders, completeness and accuracy of all actions/documentation and assisting in the scheduling transportation arrangements for patients. The duties and responsibilities of the AMSA at this level include but are not limited to the following: The candidate is responsible for processing all requests from VA Regional Offices to include appeals board for Compensation and Pension (C&P), to Environment of Care, Burn Pit, Agent Orange, Persian Gulf, Quick Start, Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), Board of Veteran Appeals, and Incarcerated Veteran requests. Incumbent prepares the request for initial review/orders by the clinician, schedules all appointments into the decentralized hospital computer program and through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE), program to meet mandated directive timelines. AMSA proficiently utilizes VISTA, AMIE, CPRS, CAPRI, FTS, Virtual VA and VBMS and other software programs associated with disability examinations. He/she notifies the veteran by mail and/or telephone of the appointment(s) insuring the veteran is given appropriate instruction for reaching the exam site and for completing any testing that may be required. Candidate is responsible for updating and changing pre-appointment, cancellations and no-show letters and appointments. When scheduling the incumbent constantly checks clinic availability for all the C&P providers to assure the earliest available appointment is scheduled and obtains patient demographics to register patient in DHCP, including inputting billing information and forwarding consults, advising the program manager of any scheduling issues. Performs specialized duties in a defined functional area involving a wide variety of problems and situations and takes action consistent with objectives of the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service. Incumbent Maintains and revises the office filing system. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm - Decided at hiring, based on operational needs. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. 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. 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 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: United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. 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 (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. Certification. None required. Grandfathering 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 occupation. For 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 occupation. 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. If 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 occupation. Foreign 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. programs. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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-06 Advanced Medical Support Assistant Experience - One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-05) grade level. Experience at this level is as follows: Independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes, answering phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults, enters no-show information Monitors appointment requests from multiple electronic sources Participates in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic Monitors both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility Verifies and updates demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments Coordinates administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient's eligibility status (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.). GS-06 level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the required experience, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the GS-06 level: Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care, administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians References: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II Appendix G45The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The Advanced Medical Support Assistant work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking; standing, and carrying light items are required. Light filing, sometimes involving working close to the floor, is involved. Wrist and back protection can be provided to minimize the risks associated with prolonged use of automated data processing equipment. Education There is no substitution of education at the GS-06 Grade Level Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.