Qualifications

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficient
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 MSA (entry Level) Experience or Education
• Six months experience of 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 one year above high school
• Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate the KSA's below: 1
• Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner to give instructions and arrange appointments
• 2
• Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems
• 3
• Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care
• GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) Experience or Education
• One year of experience in clerical or office work that indicates the ability to acquire the medical knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position or two years of education above high school
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients
• Ability to use and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software, i.e
• computer systems, web based scheduling programs
• insurance collection system
• scanning software, multiple line phone systems
• electronic faxing programs, to support patient care
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients
• Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics
• GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or 4 years of education above high school
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order 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 understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of 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 the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• References: VA Handbook 5005/117, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-679
• Published August 1, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary but may require periods of standing or walking however, there are no physical requirements for the 0679 Medical Support Assistant occupation.