Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

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. Education or Experience: One year above high school; OR 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 Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. English Language Proficiency: Medical Support Assistants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grandfathering Provision: All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements for the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.(3) If an employee was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Medical Support Assistant GS-08: Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level [leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting]. Experience includes planning, organizing, and directing the work of lower medical support assistants. Establishing work priorities, identifying developmental training needs of employees and provides or arranges for training when required. Working closely with management to identify and develop training which meets the needs of the MSA and administrative/clinical data capture requirements. Reviewing work produced and analyzes weekly reports to evaluate production and takes appropriate action to resolve backlogs, scheduling errors, ICB Capture, EARR Review and Pre-Registration Data. Conducting regular staff meetings with the medical support assistants to update them on policy changes and new procedures. Attending required section meetings and other meetings throughout the facility as deemed appropriate. And Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.] Preferred Experience: Outpatient experience, either clinical or administrative. References: VA Handbook 5005/117 PART II APPENDIX G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0679, dated August 1, 2019. http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf . This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as papers, books, manuals, record boxes and boxes of computer paper. Computers are used and therefore keyboarding is required. The work includes walking from area to area when covering for other employees. Applicant may at times be exposed to stressful situations with Veterans.
This Supervisory Medical Support Assistant position is in the Chief of Staff/GPM Department within the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, located at the West Haven Campus. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.