Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Summary The Advanced Medical Support (AMSA) position is in the San Francisco Health Care System's Gastroenterology and Endoscopy unit. The AMSA is responsible for a range of clerical and administrative duties that demonstrate and advanced level of the MSA. The SFVAHCS uses a practice group concept that combines managed care and primary care treatment models. Each care team consists of identifiable and consistent team members that include physicians, nursing staff, and administrative support. Learn more about this agency Duties VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery environment (i.e., patient aligned care team, or other special care). Operate computerized programs and databases to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports. Schedule appointments in a clinical setting. Identify customer's concerns, performs the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follows as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Serve as the first line representative, primary contact and resource person for individuals requesting information, furnishing them with desired information or directing them to the appropriate resource. Identify and troubleshoot scheduling and staffing problems in the Mental Health clinic in PAD and perform analysis for performance improvement efforts in wait-times, clinic flow and no-shows. Acts as a liaison between doctors, nurses and house staff and is responsible for identifying and resolving problem areas between different services. Kept track of telephone calls and messages to the front desk phone. Assemble all patient charts and ensure all critical information is listed and then maintains the charts daily. Responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and for applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files release of access codes, etc. Obtains and reviews medical information of patients prior to scheduled appointments, such as clinic reminders due, customer service and clinical surveys, and ensures the patient completes all the necessary forms prior to being seen by the provider. Assures proper completion and filing of original medical documentation and forms in the records prior to forwarding to medical records room. Provides file and document management. Maintains all patient's records, either electronic or paper, according to regulations ensuring each entry contains proper patient and health care proper identification. Perform duties as a timekeeper and will provide administrative assistance with Engineering work orders and non-ADPAC related computer work orders. Scheduling, canceling, and re-scheduling patient appointments by managing appointment requests (including but not limited to Return-to-Clinic Orders (RTC), Recall Reminders, Veteran's Appointment Requests (VAR), Consults, and Patient initiated requests in accordance with scheduling business rules as outlined in VHA Directive 1230, Outpatient Scheduling Management, utilizing scheduling programs as mandated by your supervisor, Mailing of appointment letters and procedure instruction sheets. Coordinate the scheduling/rescheduling of consults or forwarding of consults to community care using the various scheduling systems and tools. Checking patients in/out for their appointments; validating and updating each appointment the patient's demographics, e.g., address and contact information in accordance with department business rules. Responsible for capturing non-VA health insurance utilizing the Insurance Capture Buffer software. Other related duties may be assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm PST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08568 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Advanced Medical Support Assistant, GS-6 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of 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, an 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Preferred Experience: Possess excellent customer service skills, organizational skills, and time management skills. Experience interacting with internal and external customers to achieve desired outcomes. Experience with scheduling, cancelling or rescheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Experience with obtaining medical information from patients, documenting information accurately in the appropriate system and communicating accurately and timely to the appropriate clinician or team as needed. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Typically, the Advanced Medical Assistant must be able to operate a computer terminal and be able to manage multiple activities at one time. Work is generally sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items. Education There is no education substitution at this grade level. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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.