Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• US Citizenship is required
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.)
• ENGLISH: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English
• EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Must possess six (6) months experience of clerical, office, customer service or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the Medical Support Assistant
• OR Must have successfully completed one (1) year above high school
• This education must have been obtained in an accredited technical school, junior college, college or university
• One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying for entry level
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION
• GS-5 - This is the full performance level for MSAs
• At this level, the MSA is expected to independently perform a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting
• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level that equips you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position
• At this grade level, experience consists of: interacting with internal and external customers
• establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records
• verifying third party insurance and updating insurance information in automated systems
• obtaining medical information from patients
• coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services
• and scheduling appointments OR Education: Successful completion of four years of education above high school level
• This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university
• One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1
• Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information into or from electron health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
• 3
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting
• 4
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work
• 5
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers
• 6
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.