Advanced Medical Support Assistant - Health Benefits/Enrollment Clerk

at  US Veterans Health Administration

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.

*RESUME MUST INCLUDE HOURS PER WEEK FOR WORK EXPERIENCE CREDIT.*

References: 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-06.
Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary and typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. Requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light objects, as well as stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. May occasionally require walking some distance to a meeting.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR APPLICATION, RESUME, C.V., AND/OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE VERIFIED. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

• Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Resume Requirement: * Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (REQUIRED for ALL current Federal Employees):

• Most recent, non-Award SF-50 to verify Tenure and Experience (Award SF-50s do not provide sufficient information).
• You can find your latest SF-50 in e-OPF.
• EHRI Electronic Official Personnel Folder (opm.gov) for current VA employees.
• Federal Employees should use their agency specific e-OPF URL.
• Federal Employees received an SF-50 on 01/14/2024.
• Failure to provide the REQUIRED SF-50(s) will result in disqualification.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include:
• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans preference in accordance with OCHCO Bulletin dated 10/03/2023.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/31/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12485917.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help

DUTIES

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 Gulf Coast VA provides care throughout five counties located in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The work of an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) impacts the administrative aspect of patient care. The duties of an AMSA directly affects the revenue cycle, patient access to care, hospital performance goals and objectives, as well as VHA public image.

The primary duties of the Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) may include but are not limited to:

• Coordinates administrative services for Veterans, family members, caregivers, and public, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure continuity of inpatient and outpatient care.
• Ensure that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into the VA software systems for enrollment and care by scanning the documents.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all clinical and administrative staff.
• Interprets and applies a complex body of pertinent laws, regulations, directives, and policies that relate to the administration of VA healthcare benefits.
• Conducts patient/employee surveys, interviews, observes workflow; guides patients through hospital system, inputs referrals, documents complaints, and provides follow-up and suggests resolutions to supervisor.
• Interprets and communicate requirements of VHA Scheduling Directives and complete accurate scheduling responsibilities.
• Appointment management and the coordination of all administrative information between the professional staff and the patient. to includes updating and verifying demographic information, scheduling appointments, collecting insurance information, data entry, and notifying the patient of their new patient scheduled appointment.
• Screens/receives phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established business processes.
• Participates in the daily team let huddles and weekly/monthly team meetings where administrative planning and management occur, except during staff shortages for coverage.
• Determines eligibility/entitlement for benefits of all applicants using various methods.
• Collects, compiles, and/or tracks data and statistical information in support of the organization’s enrollment/eligibility program and admissions/acute care process.
• Coordinates primary care team assignments for eligible veterans, monitoring the patient database for information to determine applicable co-payments for medical care and medications.
• Enters demographic information, insurance, military service data, eligibility status/verification and income information into the VISTA system, Enrollment System, and Insurance Capture Buffer.
• Assures that all new veterans to the system are registered within two business days of receipt of their application.
• Triages hardship determination requests for Enrollment of Rejected Veterans / Patients required to pay co-pays for care at the time of initial registrations I Health Benefit Updates and instructs the veteran on the income / medical expense information required on the VA Form 10- 10HS to determine eligibility.

Work Schedule: To be determined by supervisor; Typically Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00273-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Resume Requirement: * Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (REQUIRED for ALL current Federal Employees):

• Most recent, non-Award SF-50 to verify Tenure and Experience (Award SF-50s do not provide sufficient information).
• You can find your latest SF-50 in e-OPF.
• EHRI Electronic Official Personnel Folder (opm.gov) for current VA employees.
• Federal Employees should use their agency specific e-OPF URL.
• Federal Employees received an SF-50 on 01/14/2024.
• Failure to provide the REQUIRED SF-50(s) will result in disqualification.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include:
• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/31/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12485917.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package

Resume Requirement: * Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (REQUIRED for ALL current Federal Employees):

• Most recent, non-Award SF-50 to verify Tenure and Experience (Award SF-50s do not provide sufficient information).
• You can find your latest SF-50 in e-OPF.
• EHRI Electronic Official Personnel Folder (opm.gov) for current VA employees.
• Federal Employees should use their agency specific e-OPF URL.
• Federal Employees received an SF-50 on 01/14/2024.
• Failure to provide the REQUIRED SF-50(s) will result in disqualification.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include:
• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip