Lead Medical Support Assistant

Lead Medical Support Assistant is assigned to the Orlando VAMC for the Outpatient and Community Based Outpatient Clinics Section of the Health Administration Service, Orlando VA Healthcare System. The Lead Medical Support Assistants (A-MSAs) assigned to VAMC Orlando, to include its Outpatient and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Lead Medical Support Assistants are considered chief sources of patient care and patient flow information. The position typically has responsibility for the overall coordination of clinic cancellations, clinic schedules to include appointment scheduling and changes, arrangements for special studies, appointment check ins/check outs, consult tracking, verification of doctor's orders and treatment orders, completeness and accuracy of all actions/documentation, making transportation arrangements for patients, and relaying medical test results to appropriate professional medical staff for immediate action. The Lead MSA explains medical tests and exam instructions to be observed and test preparation procedures to the patient prior to appointment. S/he also: provides any related instructional sheets for special procedures and facilitates patient appointments; assures a medication list is provided to patient at each visit; relays any medication issues to the appropriate clinical staff; and shares other general information, initiating appropriate action as required. The Lead MSA initiates forms for authorization to perform surgery and other procedures, monitors the waiting areas for possible changes of patient conditions, and initiates appropriate measures in emergency situations. The Lead Medical Support Assistant monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. The Lead: assures coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work; ensures accurate and timely scheduling of appointments for unit led; provides guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures; distributes and balances workload; creates and maintains employee work schedules; orients and provides on-the-job training for new and current employees; ensures all training requirements are met; organizes the work structure of his/her assigned areas; ensures compliance with the provisions of the AFGE master agreement as it relates to employee conditions of employment; and acts as liaison between MSA and staff in order to resolve day-to-day conflicts. The Lead MSA is responsible for the oversight of the routine to the most complex duties of the occupation in the unit led, with relative administrative independence, more than 25% of the time, and is called upon to mentor and teach less experienced staff and to assist them with questions they may have regarding the work of the occupation. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday,8:00am • 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 80117F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. Experience and Education-Documentation Submitted. 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, 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Lead Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-7-SF-50 Submitted Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Assignment. The Lead MSA [is responsible for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. The Lead MSA is responsible for daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage; evaluating training records; and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings. The Lead assists the unit with complex and non-standard procedures, including clinical flow processes related to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts.] For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate [all of] the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or community resources. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect [and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff Ability to provide staff development and training. Ability to manage staffing requirements, manage workflow priorities, and adjust the flow of work to meet team and patient needs. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work across multiple clinics. Preferred Experience: Minimum of one year of Community Care experience 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-7. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as 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 dentification 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. 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/.