Medical Support Assistant

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.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. GS-05 Experience and Education: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade OR; Education: Two years education 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 GS-5 (Full Performance Level):In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4 Grade Level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. (b) Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. (c) Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports. (d) Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. (e) Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work.(f) Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. References: VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679. The Full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant GS-679.The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 06. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary in nature with some walking, standing and bending. Occasionally requires moderate physical activity, e.g., carrying light items such as books and papers or lifting stacks of boxes or records. Work is typically performed in an office setting; adequately lighted, quiet, and controlled atmosphere. Follows prescribed safety procedures; uses appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving heavy objects; reports observed potential safety hazards to appropriate personnel; removes or corrects safety hazards when possible; utilizes appropriate sanitary or aseptic techniques, when applicable.