Address
Form of work
SalaryDuties
Please Note: This is an "Open Continuous Announcement" that will be used for filling Advanced Medical Support Assistant positions for any of the Phoenix VA Medical Center Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOCs) located within Health Administration Service until May 6, 2024.Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available and may be referred more than once. ***Previous candidates need not reapply***.
Candidates will be reviewed for minimum qualifications as outlined in the qualifications section of this announcement and referred to the Phoenix VA Health Care System AMSA Interview panel no later than 60 DAYS OF THE VACANCY CLOSURE.
Selected candidates should plan to report to Phoenix VA Health Care System for fingerprinting and a Physical evaluation. In addition, you will be contacted by various entities within Human Resources to begin all pre-employment processes and must satisfy all condition of employment before a firm offer of employment is made.
The salary range listed on this announcement only reflects the General Schedule incorporating Rest of U.S. basic pay. Upon selection, the salary will be adjusted to include the locality adjustment for the specific location.
Typical duties include but are not limited to:
The incumbent works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members such as pharmacists, social workers, providers, nurses, case managers, etc. while exhibiting expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics. The AMSA duties include maintaining appointment schedules, scheduling special studies or labs and following up on administrative items from the Huddle and/or staffing meetings. The incumbent ensures demographics are updated. He/she must screen/receive phone calls and visitors in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established processes.
At this level, the AMSA performs a full range of duties to include scheduling appointments along with interpreting provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Incumbent will also communicate directly with the patient to obtain required information to determine patient needs. He/she will have knowledge of various software utilized to run reports and queries. The work includes functions such as serving as an initial point of contact for functions including but not limited to scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the electronic medical record. The incumbent must display a practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems and software related to patient care. The Advanced MSA plays an essential role in shaping the patients experience and is vital to providing timely access to health care. Incumbent will recommend changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics.
Prepares written correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; Verifying and updating demographics and insurance information (ICB), Encourages the use of new processes, Processes incoming secured messaging through MyHealthyVet, Utilizes the medical record to enter information and research the needs of the patient as appropriate, Manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve concerns, Provides excellent customer service and assists in providing front line resolution when applicable, Manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues., Evaluates patient information and clinic schedules to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment, Informs team members about shared patients (i.e, those who receive their care at multiple VA centers or those who receive care in the community).
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf
Work Schedule: 6:00am to 2:30pm, 6:30am to 3:00pm, 7:00am to 3:30pm, 7:30am to 4:00pm, 8:00am to 4:30pm, 9:00am to 5:30pm, 9:30am to 6:00pm, 10:00am - 6:30pm, Monday - Friday, Weekends, and Holidays (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE AGENCY)
Telework: May be eligible as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.PD000000
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)- CBOCs (Open Continuous Announcement)/
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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
Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailedinclude the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.
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 f 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.
Grade Determinations:GS-6 Advanced MSA Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:
- 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 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.
Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; walking up to 1 hour; Hearing (aid permitted); may be working alone and/or working closely with others
Education
IMPORTANT: 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
Salary range listed is GS-6 Step 1 to GS-6 Step 10 on Rest of US Pay Scale (RUS), Pay will be adjusted based on location of applicant.
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.
EXACT CBOC LOCATIONS:
A. SOUTHWEST VA Clinic, 9250 West Thomas Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85037-3382
B. THUNDERBIRD VA Clinic, 9424 North 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021-2714
C. MIDTOWN VA CLINIC, 5040 North 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85015-3328
D. NORTHWEST VA CLINIC, 13985 West Grand Avenue, Suite 101, Surprise, AZ 85374-3626
E. SOUTHEAST VA CLINIC, 3285 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85297-7000
F. NORTHEAST VA CLINIC, 11390 East Via Linda Road Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85259-4075
G. MESA VA CLINIC, 4135 South Power Road, Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85212-3625
H. GLOBE VA CLINIC, 5860 South Hospital Drive, Suite 111, Globe, AZ 85501-9449
I. PAYSON VA CLINIC, 903 East Highway 260, Suite 2, Payson, AZ 85541-4972
J. 32nd ST VA CLINIC, 400 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008-6205
K. SHOW LOW VA CLINIC, 5171 Cub Lake Road, Suite C380, Show Low, AZ 85901-7850
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.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
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 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
- COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORD CARD - CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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 05/06/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12305489.
- 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.
- 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
James Bullock
Phone
(415) 769-1554
Email
James.Bullock@va.gov
Address
Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center
650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
USNext 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.Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
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 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
- COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORD CARD - CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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.
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
UNITED STATES CITIZENS and Current, Permanent Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
