Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Department of Veterans Affairs

This Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) position is in the Mental Health Department of the Alexandria VA Health Care System located in Alexandria/Pineville, Louisiana.

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Mental Health Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA), GS-679-06, is under the supervision of the Supervisory Medical Administration Specialist, Mental Health, Mental Health and independently carries out a wide variety of difficult tasks involving atypical problems or complex situations and refers only extremely unique problems to their supervisor. The AMSA receives and adheres to guidance from management, VA directives, policies and procedures. Works independently carrying out assignments and handles unusual problems and deviations in the workplace using established policies, instructions and accepted practices. Considerable reliance is placed upon the AMSA's knowledge of enrollment procedures, eligibility, customer service, laws, medical care applications, Means Testing, insurance verification. The AMSA, based on knowledge of the overall functions and projects of the organization, sets priorities and deadlines for the day-to-day workflow. The AMSA is responsible for clerk duties in a Mental Health setting. The duties of the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) include but are not limited to: Monitors both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility Enters no-show information Monitors the electronic wait list Interprets and verifies provider orders Prepares for clinic visits Ensures encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit Verifies and updates demographics and insurance information Processes all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals Performs basic eligibility for healthcare, travel benefits, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.). Sets priorities and deadlines Adjusts the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and veteran needs Participates and provides input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings/huddles Performs administrative follow up actions Makes pre-appointment telephone calls and post-appointment calls for those patients that are no-shows. Documents patient contact in the Computerized Patient Record System utilizing administrative progress notes. Communicates tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives Prepares reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. Schedules, cancels, re-schedules patient's appointments and/or consults Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm 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 Functional Statement #: 00926-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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