Medical Support Assistant - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Augusta, ME

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.

The VA Maine Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Support Assistant to perform administrative duties in support of the Primary Care Case Management and the High Risk Case Management pilot project in Augusta, Maine. This position is under the Primary Care Service Line. We are an employer of choice that is the center of excellence in patient care, education and research. We value Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence. We value you.

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ .

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.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Current VA and/or Federal employees should apply under announcement number: VHA-402-15-SL-1481434-BU . TRAVEL REQUIRED

Not Required RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

No KEY REQUIREMENTS

U. S. Citizenship

Must pass pre-employment examination

Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Background and-or Security Investigation required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 DUTIES: Back to top

THIS POSITION IS A TERM APPOINTMENT NOT TO EXCEED 2 YEARS, BUT MAY BE EXTENDED UP TO 4 YEARS.

This position will support Primary Care Case Management and will be proficient in providing excellent customer service; serves as a receptionist for the Case Management High Risk Pilot Project, with the ability to determine the nature of calls and answering questions of veterans, families, and visitors with patience, compassion and emotional support; responds appropriately and assures that all messages are communicated in a timely manner; handles all information in accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act; knowledge and use of the electronic patient record system; veteran’s health information and technology architecture; scheduling, canceling appointments (clinic and patient cancellations), blocking time for administrative time, i.e. meetings, leave time, etc. for clinic utilization, re-schedules patients’ appointments within the specified time mandated, schedules consults; Recall system, inclusive of taking calls from patients after receiving their recall reminder, appropriately making appointments, removing from recall; enters no-show information; monitors the electronic wait list if applicable including new patient consults and specialty clinic consults; prepares for clinic visits daily; monitors both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility and avoidance of scheduling conflict; ensures text orders are completed daily; follows check in process using two forms of identification; utilizes pre-registration verifying and updating demographic information, next of kin, emergency contact information in accordance with established training; Release of Information processes in accordance with HIPPA requirements; obtains medical information from outside facilities, i.e. faxing; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to the appropriate health care team member. The incumbent in this assignment supports Health Administrative Service in providing MSA coverage for Primary Care Case Management and support for the High Risk Case Management pilot project in the Primary Care Service Line of the Medical Center

Work Schedule : Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Functional Statement Title/# : Medical Support Assistant High Risk Case Management Pilot Project QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens maybe appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office or other 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.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience: Demonstrate the ability to work in a busy environment, multi-task, lead, and organize a large group of staff in various work areas to produce results, ensure compliance, as well as process and follow-up on a very high volume of phone calls or written requests from patients inquiring about appointments or their status on the waiting list.

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; religious; 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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:GS-5 MSA:
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) which is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member.

OR

4 Years of education above High School

Assignment: This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA performs a full range of duties. The MSA is responsible for 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’s appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:

1. Ability to operate computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports.

2. Knowledge of basic medical terminology.

3. Ability to make appointments in a clinical setting.

4. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work.

5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.

6. Ability to identify customer’s concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

References: Appendix G45. Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679. http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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.

Physical Requirements: The majority of work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY

NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application,

résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow

all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration

for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a

peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience

and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for

promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in

accordance with policy. BENEFITS: Back to top

VA offers a

comprehensive benefits package. This

link provides is an overview of the benefits currently offered: http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp .

OTHER 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.