Summary This Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) position is in the Medical Administration Service of the Alexandria VA Health Care System located in Pineville, LA. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf The Supervisory Medical Assistant (MSA) serves as the direct line supervisor for the Lead Medical Support Assistant and Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA), which range from 10-18 employees and is a foundational role within the VHA Specialty Care. The supervisor exercises full supervisory responsibilities within Specialty Care which are spread throughout the facility. The Supervisory MSA will also serve as the direct line supervisor for the Lead MSA and MSA staff at any of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics, PACT, Specialty, and Call Center. The primary duties of the Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (SMSA) may include but are not limited to: Plans and directs programs at the medical center Assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff Resolves complex problems and provides solutions so that patient services are met Supervises at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor Assigns/evaluates new products, equipment, and systems Makes recommendations for improved operations Identifies educational or training needs Recruits and makes final decisions on selections Evaluates performance Takes disciplinary action, and initiates ER/LR actions when necessary Monitors staff in probationary status for suitability of continued Federal Employment Plans and directs the MSAs activities Extracts/analyzes data to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management Collaborates in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., PACT, Specialty, Mental Health, Ancillary and Call Center) for Primary Care Clinics and Specialty Clinics Performs customer service Schedules appointments in an accurately timely manner Assures appointment schedules are maintained by MSA staff for one or more outpatient clinics Makes appointments with the patient's input, either in person or by phone Assist with clinic access contingency plans by adjusting appointment times, locations, or dates Shifts patients to other healthcare providers as conflict with staffing and/or coverage occurs Supports patient safety standards using the correct Veterans Affairs identification Assists the MSA staff in the check-in process Updates patient demographic information, either in person during check-in or over the phone Assures MSA staff explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information Assures staff collects, scans, and update health insurance information Identifies and processes patients with third party insurance Promotes Veteran registration for the utilization of MyHealthyVet (MHV) Sets the tone for perception concerning quality of healthcare services at the VA Utilizes a high degree of tact and diplomacy when dealing with veterans Explains procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the phone Receives records and ensures all necessary health/administrative information is integrated into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Sends the documents to the appropriate department for scanning Screens/receives phone calls in a courteous and timely manner Provides information using privacy rules and established clinic processes Trains staff on the requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling Reviews active/pending consults, Vetext, recall list, Return to Clinic Orders, Radiology Orders and Audio care communications Conducts staff meetings and in-services on various training and safety programs Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm To be discussed at interview Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 502-00154-F 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. May be required to complete pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. 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, (2) Education. One year above high school; OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None required. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Medical Support Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-08 level, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade. Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-08 (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Experience includes: Utilizing patient systems to provide interdisciplinary support to multiple clinics, providing staff training, managing staff workload, following up on pending issues OR Performing supervisory duties including work assignments, performance evaluations, selection of staff, delegating authority, providing staff development, and overseeing people and programs in a patient support setting. (b) Assignment. Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics. They have full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor, or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: evaluating the work of subordinate staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the subordinate lead, supervisor, and MSA's activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports to senior management in support of tracking measures. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/117 Part II, Appendix G45 VA Qualification Standard for Medical Support Assistant, GS-0679. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this position. Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.