Medical Support Assistant (Health Informatics)

Quick Facts

• Role: Medical Support Assistant (Health Informatics)
• Focus: Support EHR implementation and adoption
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm
• Telework: Ad-hoc only, by supervisor discretion
• Work location: In-person reporting required (Fort Meade, SD or Hot Springs, SD)

Description

This position supports the implementation and integration of a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system by assisting with patient intake, scheduling, documentation, and workflow optimization. You will help ensure accurate information management during EHR adoption by recording messages, validating demographics and insurance, and supporting clinical administrative processes. The role requires in-person attendance and is not a virtual position.

Responsibilities

• Greet and check in patients; assist with mobile check-in
• Gather medical information as needed; refer patients to appropriate care team members
• Record and document complaints; identify patient/customer concerns and help resolve issues
• Perform receptionist duties (copy/fax monitoring, phone answer/routing, insurance information verification in ICB)
• Schedule appointments following VA Scheduling Directive and minimum scheduling efforts
• Maintain clinic administrative records (printing appointment/clinic lists, ensuring encounter forms and daily order/consult workflows)
• Interpret/verify/disposition provider orders; complete reports; record meeting minutes; scribe with co-signer
• Monitor appointments and clinic grids; process transfers to other facilities
• Monitor Audiocare and VEText; perform basic eligibility requirements; maintain warehouse supplies and clinic forms

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Complete all required steps, including an online assessment and onboarding
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selective Service registration (if applicable)
• Ability to participate in seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Provide required identification for pre-employment onboarding requirements (REAL ID compliance effective May 7, 2025)

Qualifications (GS-3 to GS-5)

Basic education: high school diploma/GED/equivalent. Candidates must demonstrate grade-appropriate knowledge and skills, including:

• Basic or advanced medical terminology
• Ability to record messages and understand follow-up physician requests
• Courteous, professional communication with diverse patients and healthcare team members
• Ability to use office automation and software tools (computer systems, web-based scheduling, insurance systems, scanning, multi-line phones, electronic faxing)
• Ability to operate computerized programs for entering/modifying/retrieving sensitive patient information in EHR/scheduling/reporting systems
• Scheduling and independent work skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays)
• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months
• Child care subsidy: eligibility after 60 days (income-based)
• Retirement: federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions
• Insurance: health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options
• Comprehensive federal benefits package (eligibility depends on position details)