Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Quick Facts

• Role: Advanced Medical Support Assistant (GS-6)

• Focus: Expert administrative patient support in an interdisciplinary coordinated care model

Description

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant provides specialized, expert administrative support to help ensure timely access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, inpatient units, and community care resources. The role includes independent administrative judgment, advanced knowledge of clinical flow processes, daily oversight of assigned areas, and guidance to junior staff. It also involves complex scheduling and the use of computerized systems to manage access-to-care workflows and maintain data integrity.

Responsibilities

• Define overall objectives, priorities, and deadlines for the assigned area
• Resolve unusual, complex administrative situations to ensure patient services are met
• Guide junior Medical Support Assistants on scheduling and computerized data entry/information processing systems
• Monitor database accuracy and completeness to ensure database integrity
• Extract and analyze data to produce reports supporting performance measures
• Assist with staff training and orientation
• Adhere to applicable VHA directives, laws, and regulations
• Perform complex scheduling: review/process consults; schedule new and follow-up appointments
• Manage recall reminders and return-to-clinic orders
• Process New Enrollee Appointment Request online
• Manage pre-appointment requirements, no-shows, cancellations, and rescheduled appointments
• Communicate with Veterans and caregivers; answer incoming calls; resolve administrative inquiries
• Participate in daily team huddles
• Use VA systems for consulting, scheduling, recall/reminders, secure messaging, and telephone management

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Selective Service registration required for eligible males born after 12/31/1959
• Complete VA onboarding and pre-employment requirements (including Form I-9 acceptable documents)
• Seasonal influenza vaccination participation required
• 1- or 2-year trial period with employment contingent on certification
• Experience equivalent to GS-5 (one year): independent scheduling and patient support duties in inpatient/outpatient settings, including advising clinical staff on administrative processes
• Advanced KSA demonstration, including technical access-to-care scheduling knowledge, medical terminology, multi-disciplinary collaboration, independent prioritization, and effective communication (phone, in person, electronically, in writing)

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package (eligibility depends on position type)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K (up to 5% in contributions)
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Paid parental leave after 12 months (up to 12 weeks, when eligible)
• Child care subsidy eligibility after 60 days for qualifying full-time employees
• Telework: not available