Summary The Lead Medical Support Assistant is a foundational role within CITC (Care in the Community). As a Lead Medical Support Assistant with the Care in the Community department impacts the timely administering aspect of patient care such as proper eligibility review, timely authorization, scheduling, consult management, wait list management (Veterans Choice List and Electronic Wait List, obtaining and routing proper medical records, distributing and managing workload for MSA's and customer service. Responsibilities Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model within Care in the community. Assist Veterans by explaining community programs, coordinating their care in the community through various avenues, and providing customer service to be the patient's liaison between the VA Medical Center and the community provider. Performs a variety of administrative functions associated with patient care and treatment for Care in the Community services which include inpatient, outpatient, and/or GEC program services. Employee must acquire knowledge of internal organizational procedures, knowledge of various facility services, multiple computer software systems, VA acronyms and abbreviations. Creates and issues authorizations for approved care, assists with vendor location when needed, and resolves barriers to obtain care in the community to avoid patient care delay. Coordinates with the Care in the Community team to review consult utilization by using various reports and communication methods to effectively support the needs of the team. Coordinates sending, receiving, and routing medical records from community vendors as needed by verifying services utilized by specialty and date of service. Responsible for ensuring the proper disposition of Care in the Community consults assigned by making comments as appropriate and placing the consultation in the proper status. Responsible for accurate appointment management and the coordination of all administrative information between the community care vendor and the Veteran. This includes scheduling appointments, data entry, administratively managing consultation requests and the electronic waiting list. Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification of all patients using two forms of identification, name and full Social Security Number. Demonstrating a caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the phone. Screen and receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established Care in the Community processes. Responsible for ensuring that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) by sending the documents utilizing established procedures to the scanning unit location. Ability to interpret and communicate requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities and assist in training others. Independently manage position responsibilities with little supervision as well as set priorities and deadlines adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs. Plan and carry out successive steps of work assignments and independently handles scheduling problems and deviations based on personal knowledge of clinic operations and policy, schedules, and provider's preferences. Coordinate efforts to ensure all aspects of duties are accomplished efficiently, timely, and correctly. Incumbent(s) plans and carries out the day-to-day operation of the office independently utilizing initiative to resolve problems. Responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative clinical staff or difficulty in securing information from the clinicians and or records. Maintain the confidentiality of information obtain to carry out required duties. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Lead Medical Support Assistant. Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-7 grade level requires a minimum of one (1) year experience at the next lower grade level (GS-6). Equivalent experience includes: Assigning daily workload assessments and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. Assisting the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts. In addition, you must have experience which demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 1. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. 2. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. 3. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. 4. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect [and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff. 5. Ability to provide staff development and training. 6. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics. References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Part II Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant http://vaww.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with prolonged periods of sitting. The work requires moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, standing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; ability to read without strain; ability to hear the whispered voice with or without hearing aid; emotional & mental stability. Education There is no educational substitute for this grade level. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. 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. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.