Summary This position is located in the Community Care Service line of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center - North Charleston, SC. The Lead Medical Support Assistant is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to the Community Care Service line. Responsibilities The Lead MSA monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. Assures coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work; ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments; providing guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; creating and maintaining employee work schedules; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; ensuring all training requirements are met; organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas; and acting as liaison between MSA and staff in order to resolve day to day conflicts. Other assigned duties are not limited to: The Lead MSA will monitor and make work assignment for all MSA's and provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. Independently plans, organizes, and executes work through leadership and management of assigned staff to meet requirements and complete the duties and responsibilities of this position. Familiar with the MSA related VHA Directives, policies and procedures. Knowledge of patient eligibility for VA medical care, priorities for care, release of information, HIPPA laws and the Medical Fee Basis programs. Responsible for assisting with oversight and completing Quality and Assurance audits of medical record scanning performed by all MSA's. Performs duties including, but not limited to: updating demographic information, updating BMS Whiteboard, collecting insurance for third party collections, processing patient movements, and scheduling appointments. Must have a solid knowledge of multiple systems and current computer technology. Skills in compiling readily available data from prescribed sources. Responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, etc. to the supervisor, to include recommendations and plans for resolution. Schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. Possess working knowledge of inpatient and clinic processes and services. Provide administrative support to variety of staff and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Must provide excellent customer service and must adhere to VA local, National and Service policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: This position is not telework eligible. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09266F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. English Language Proficiency: Applicants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. Grade Determinations: For GS-7 (Lead Medical Support Assistant) - In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have the following: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Examples of experience include, but are not limited to the following: Coordinating with the patient care team to review the clinic utilization by using various reports (e.g., Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary), ensuring that the clinic setup is closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic, and make any necessary adjustments; developing/maintaining effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; facilitate/process secure messaging with the patient and team; notify patients of normal lab results; develop and manage a tracking system for follow up care such as consults, tests, etc.); technical competency in the use of Vista and CPRS systems is required; must have knowledge of eligibility for VA medical care, priorities for care, release of information, Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Laws, and the Medical Fee Basis programs; must have knowledge of and be able to provide information about VA Medical Care Cost Recovery Program to patients regarding insurance data collection and revenue collection; participating in team meetings to manage and plan patient care; setting priorities and deadlines for the team, adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs; monitoring pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure (e.g., X-ray, lab work); managing electronic wait list to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues; performing administrative follow up actions; participating in and independently following up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple VAs or those who have care in the community) and bringing to the attention of the provider. IMPORTANT: Education cannot be substituted for the one year of specialized experience required at this grade level. Lead Medical Support Assistants at this level must demonstrate ALL of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below. If selected for the position response to the KSAs need to be completed on plain paper, with a narrative description of experience, education, and training as it relates to each KSA. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/53 Part II Appendix G45, Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work of the positions is primarily sedentary; however, some walking, standing, bending stooping and carrying of small items such as files may be required. Preferred Experience is At least one year of AMSA Scheduling. One year of experience of the Enrollment process. 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: 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: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.