Medical Support Assistant
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is presently looking of Medical Support Assistant right now, this career will be placed in Alabama. For complete informations about this career opportunity please give attention to these descriptions. Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 730561
The Birmingham VA Medical Center in Birmingham, AL is seeking a full-time Medical Support Assistant (Mental Health Clinic).
Salary: To be determined by Professional Standard Board of your peers and based on your education, experience, and professional accomplishments.
You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans!
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be adding approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians - to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs mental health professionals who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans.
Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your country's service.
If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans .
The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect and E xcellence (" I CARE ").
America's Veterans need you!
To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/ .
Travel and relocation benefits will not be paid.
Special Employment Consideration: Individuals eligible for the following appointments are encouraged to apply: 5 CFR 213.3102 "u", Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities ; mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities; and Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Please read the entire announcement before beginning the application process to ensure you submit all the required documents. All applicable forms must be complete and signed prior to uploading.
NOTE: If you apply for this position electronically (On-Line), you do not need to apply manually using the OPM Form 1203-FX (OPM-Occupational Questionnaire). If you complete and fax the OPM Form 1203-FX to the designated fax number listed in this vacancy announcement, It will override your previous application you have already submitted electronically (On-Line). Therefore, please apply for this position using one method only (i.e., apply electronically [On-Line] or apply manually using the OPM Form 1203-FX). If you apply using both the electronic (On-Line) and manual (OPM FORM 1203-FX) methods, it will result in a duplicate processing error and you may lose consideration for this position.
Our mission: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
The Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (BVAMC) is an integral part of the Medical community that provides acute, tertiary, medical, and surgical care to Veterans of Alabama. The Medical Center provides care to a veteran population of 420,000 in Alabama and treats approximately 57,000 unique veterans annually. The medical center serves as a referral center for this area with 138 operating beds with care provided in almost all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.
Birmingham, AL is located in the heart of the Southeastern United States and is a progressive center for medical research, banking, music, technology, art, engineering, and higher education.
VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ .
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U. S. Citizenship
Must pass pre-employment examination
English Language Proficiency required
Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
Background and-or Security Investigation required
DUTIES:
The Medical Support Assistant performs receptionist, record keeping, and all clerical duties related to patient treatment in clinics responsible for specialized outpatient treatment in the Mental Health Service Line. Specific duties include checking in patients, scheduling and canceling patient appointments, managing clinics, etc. The Medical Support Assistant becomes known to the patients in the clinic and serves as a key point of contact for patients who need access to a Mental Health Provider, either during or between clinic visits. The selectee will work varying shifts including weekends.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office or other 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.
MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MSA.
GS-3 MSA (Entry Level)
Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignment. This is an entry level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.
GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level)
Experience or Education: One year of experience in clerical or office work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position or two years of education above high school. Examples of Specialized Experience consist of: p rogressively responsible clerical, office work interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical or administrative records.
Assignment: This is a developmental level MSA position. It is expected that MSAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more difficult tasks and require frequent and direct contact from the assigned lead and/or supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers; establishing and maintaining medical outpatient and inpatient charts as well as administrative records; verifying third party insurance and updating information in the Insurance Capture Buffer (ICB) system; obtaining medical information from patients; coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; and scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. The MSA refers all questions requiring immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member.
Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:
Ability to meet, communicate and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to complete job assignments.
Ability to use various types of office automation equipment and software.
Ability to set up, organize, and maintain record systems.
GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level)
Experience or Education: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or 4 years of education above high school. Examples of Specialized experience consist of: working in a medical office, hospital or similar setting providing clerical/administrative support performing duties such as answering the telephone and providing customer service, scheduling appointments, maintaining administrative and/or medical records, entering data and providing reports from automated information computer systems, and explaining policies and procedures to patients or customers.
Assignment: This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA performs a full range of duties. The MSA is responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring the electronic wait list; preparing for clinic visits; monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information; processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals; performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, etc.).
Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:
Ability to operate computerized programs and databases in order to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information/data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems and/or reports.
Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
Ability to make appointments in a clinical setting.
Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties, including setting priorities and coordinating work.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
Ability to identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
NOTE: DO NOT respond to the KSA's listed above. Your application will be evaluated using your resume and responses to the Occupational Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you possess the required KSA's.
References : VA Handbook 5005/53, Part II, APPENDIX G45 Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard, dated June 7, 2012.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
Veterans' Preference:
When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx .
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.
For more information on the VAÂ's preferred method of interviewing, please visit www.VA.gov/PBI .
BENEFITS:
Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
OTHER INFORMATION:
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
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If you were eligible to this career, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you interested on this career just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This career starts available on: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 22:57:41 GMT