Medical Support Assistant

About the Role

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Medical Support Assistants (MSAs) at the GS 3/4/5 level at their main campus in Seattle, WA. This announcement may be used to fill positions for up to 90 days.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to clinical colleagues in the care of Veterans.
• Promote and enable the delivery of timely, accurate, and accessible health care.
• Interact with internal and external customers.
• Establish and maintain medical outpatient and inpatient charts, as well as administrative records.
• Verify third-party insurance and update information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system.
• Obtain medical information from patients.
• Coordinate information and actions related to patient care and services.
• Schedule appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.
• Interpret and verify provider orders.
• Enter no-show information.
• Monitor the electronic wait list.
• Prepare for clinic visits.
• Monitor both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility.
• Ensure encounter forms are completed for workload credit.
• Verify and update demographics and insurance information.
• Process emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals.
• Perform basic eligibility, co-pays, and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage.
• Refer all questions requiring immediate medical attention to the appropriate health care team member.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• United States Citizenship (non-citizens may be appointed if qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA Policy).
• English Language Proficient.
• Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members courteously and helpfully.
• Ability to use and navigate between various types of office automation equipment and software, including:
• Computer systems
• Web-based scheduling programs
• Insurance collection systems
• Scanning software
• Multiple-line phone systems
• Electronic faxing programs
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests.
• Ability to operate computerized programs and systems to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports.
• Advanced knowledge of basic medical terminology specific to understanding medical diagnoses and procedures.
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting.
• Ability to work independently in accomplishing a wide variety of duties, performing patient support work.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone with internal and external customers.
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns and refer to appropriate staff.

Qualifications

• GS-3 Level (Entry Level):
• No experience beyond the basic requirements.
• High school diploma, General Education Development (GED) equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (only applicable to current VHA employees in this occupation meeting criteria).
• GS-4 Level (Developmental Level):
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-3).
• OR One year of education above high school.
• GS-5 Level (Full Performance Level):
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4).
• OR Two years of education above high school.

Work Schedule

• Typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
• May include evenings, nights, and weekends. Tours will be discussed during interviews.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy: Eligible full-time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to $416.66 monthly, after 60 days of employment.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance.

Physical Requirements

• The work is mostly sedentary, but may require periods of standing or walking.
• No specific physical requirements are mandated for the 0679 Medical Support Assistant occupation.