Lead Medical Support Assistant

Lead Medical Support Assistant

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Altoona, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $52732 - $68553 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in Health Administration Service (HAS) at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. The Lead Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is responsible for performing a variety of technical support duties that facilitate the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide direct patient care.

Major Duties:

• The Lead MSA is responsible in collaboration with Supervisory MSA staff for the coordination of Advanced MSA assignments and workflow found in an interdisciplinary unit. Some of the major duties of this position include, and are not limited to: Monitors MSA Staff to assist with evaluation and ensure following facility policy/procedure. Monitors staff to ensure adherence to VHA Directives 1230 and 1232 for scheduling and consult management in their entirety. Ensure accurate and timely scheduling of appointments by facility schedulers (MSA and Non-MSA staff). Generates reports from VSSC and other scheduling resources. Monitors various reports to ensure performance measures are met, including but not limited to test and deceased report, RTC order report, patient centered scheduling, consult management, clinic availability action report, encounter action required report, VA on-line scheduling report. Prepares monthly Access Committee reports and obtains Chief, HAS concurrence prior to submission. Assists MSA Supervisors with completion of daily and monthly scheduling audits. Provides statistics related to MSA functions to Chief, HAS as requested in a timely and accurate manner. Completes daily, weekly, and monthly reports for MSA functions in the Medical Center and CBOC locations. Responsible for coordination of activities with MSA Supervisors to ensure workflow and workload are processed timely. Provides input to Supervisory MSA staff for performance review for 3-6 GS level MSAs. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday Functional Statement #: 503-04818-F / Lead MSA Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with 38 USC § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations Lead Medical Support Assistant GS-7: In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the specialized experience for the grade: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level: The Advanced MSA provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability utilization to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and [makes adjustments as necessary. MSAs at this level develop and/or maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model teams, VA medical centers, and other agencies (e.g., assist with communications during the inpatient to outpatient discharge; communicate with non-VA medical facilities; prepare correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; manage a system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc.). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 an 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947435. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-08