Summary The incumbent serves as a Medical Administrative Specialist- Health Administrative Specialist on Duty (HOD) located in the Business Office (BO) at The Memphis, TN Lt. Col. Luke J. Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center. The position has both the authority and responsibility to represent both the Medical Center Director and the Chief, HAS on all administrative matters occurring when assigned to other than a normal tour of duty. Responsibilities The AOD is responsible for all medical-legal administrative functions the Medical Center during irregular hours and as such represents both the Medical Center Director and the Chief, Business Office in this capacity. The AOD maintains the operation of all Business Office activities during these hours, investigates all problems and incidents which may occur during the tour of duty and assumes full administrative responsibility in the event of and emergency or disaster until relieved by the appropriate personnel. Major duties will include but are not limited to: Enters information into VISTA accurately; reports promptly, identifying any negative trends; makes appointments in appropriate clinics and follows the VISN guidelines for scheduling and canceling appointments. Must work in a multi-screen environment, being able to use VISTA and CPRS and Microsoft programs. Performs patient processing activities associated with VA medical benefit programs during irregular tours of duty (e.g.: enrollment, eligibility, verification, beneficiary travel, scheduling, check-in/out, clinic workload, admission/discharge/transfer, compensation and pension, special programs, fee basis, release of information, MCCR, etc. Coordinates tests & procedures that cannot be done at this Medical Center. Interprets a broad range of policies, guidelines and directives, both verbal and written and identify responsible parties for follow up action or communication. Administers proper bed control computer options and arrange for escort of patients to appropriate ward. Performs admissions, discharges, scheduling, beneficiary travel, community bed assignments, death details, and death counseling. Establishes proper priority groups for Veterans. Complete eligibility assessment documents and enter proper financial data in database. Prepares and submits necessary documents for billing purposes for all medical cost recovery cases. Responds to both internal & external customers in a courteous professional manner in all interactions. Communicates both orally and in writing with health care professionals and other medical center personnel and applies proper grammar, vocabulary and spelling. Provides orientation to the physicians regarding VA policies & procedures affecting admissions, treatment and disposition of patients and applicants. Informs and trains irregular tour staff in complex and diverse procedures, concepts, principles and practices. Organizes, plans, set work priorities & meet deadlines while adapting to non-routine variations in workload. Counsels non service connected Veterans and their families to determine their ability to defray cost of medical care. Applies knowledge of a wide range of Medical Center operations and Business Office concepts, principles, administrative functions and practices in order to inform and train staff in complex and diverse procedures. Preforms as a Health Benefits Advisor to determine legal eligibility of applicants for medical benefits and release of medical information. Coordinates administrative matters that arise during irregular tours of duty, i.e, collaborate with Engineering, Laboratory, Radiology, Nursing and Environmental Management personnel, rendering administrative assistance and decisions when required. Manages patient processing activities associated with VA medical benefit programs during irregular tours of duty (e.g.: enrollment, eligibility, verification, beneficiary travel, scheduling, check-in/out, clinic workload, admission/discharge/transfer, compensation and pension, special programs, fee basis, release of information. MCCR) Applies knowledge of Civil Defense program and Medical Center procedures to be followed in case of fire or disaster. Uses a broad knowledge in admission, discharges, scheduling, beneficiary travel, community resources, detail procedures, Compensation & Pension, medical and dental benefits, POW directives and Agent Orange literature. Works independently, using a general understanding of the expected outcomes and the scope of the assignments, and draw upon experience in resolving the more difficult situations which arise. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Schedule ranges from Sunday thru Saturday with 2 days off (8 a.m.-4 p.m. (weekends and holidays only), 4 p.m.-Mid, Mid-8 a.m.) Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Administration Specialist/PD99368 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/27/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. For the GS-07 you must have 52 weeks at the GS-05. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Perform medical-legal administration functions of a comprehensive medical center. Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing health care delivery systems (i.e. eligibility for medical benefits, processing of applications, beneficiary travel, patient transfers, inter-facility consults. Established effective working relationships that contributed to the attainment of the organization's goals. Communicate both orally and in writing with health care professionals, other medical center personnel and outside constituents. Apply Federal laws and other regulations to priorities of care, patient processing, entitlements, clinical/admission procedures and other appropriate patient processing activities. Investigate and obtain preliminary data involving injuries of patients or employees or employee/patient complaints and take immediate action to oversee the proper handling of all non-medical emergencies. Coordinate administrative matters that arise within a medical center/hospital on matters relating to personnel on duty during irregular hours for proper actions, emergency repairs, call-in personnel for emergency repairs or patient care emergency reasons. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess one full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). NOTE: The education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of education beyond a bachelors degree and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. . GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. For the GS-09, you must have 52 weeks at the GS-07.Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Perform medical-legal administration functions of a comprehensive medical center; Knowledge of all aspects of the Medical Administration Service programs and how they interrelate to all other Medical Center services and programs; Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing health care delivery systems (i.e. eligibility for medical benefits, processing of applications, beneficiary travel, patient transfers, inter-facility consults; Established effective working relationships that contributed to the attainment of the organization's goals; Communicate both orally and in writing with health care professionals, other medical center personnel and outside constituents; Apply Federal laws and other regulations to priorities of care, patient processing, entitlements, clinical/admission procedures and other appropriate patient processing activities; Investigate and obtain preliminary data involving injuries of patients or employees or employee/patient complaints and take immediate action to oversee the proper handling of all non-medical emergencies; Coordinate administrative matters that arise within a medical center/hospital on matters relating to personnel on duty during irregular hours for proper actions, emergency repairs, call-in personnel for emergency repairs or patient care emergency reasons; Identify and analyze complex problems or situations with a range of variables; Explain and organize complex issue in writing, complete projects; studies; narrative and statistical reports; and review in a through accurate and timely manner. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-09 level. Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B, or J.D., if related. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond one year of graduate education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Although operating from a desk in the admissions area, the AOD is continually required to move about the area in order to make contacts and consult with staff. The AOD must walk throughout the main hospital building, seeking information or addressing administrative matters. The AOD must walk to other building in the medical center. Stairs must be climbed where or when no elevator is nearby or operating and occasionally equipment or other articles have lifted, carried or pushed. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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.