Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Amarillo, Texas

Salary Range: $52180 - $67831 Per Year

Job Summary: The incumbent services as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) for the VA Community Care Service (VACC) in the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). AVACHS serves Veterans in the Texas Panhandle and three adjoining states. The incumbent's work impacts the administrative aspect of non-VA medical care including access, coordinating appointments using approved clinic access principles, patient processing, appointment scheduling and customer service.

Major Duties:

• VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo This position is located in the Radiology Service. The AMSA work includes functions such as serving as an initial point of contact for the units, clinics, patients, call centers, CitC, to include, but not limited to, scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the electronic medical record and medical systems. Work utilizes practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems and software related to patient care, the healthcare system's organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment, knowledge of standard procedures, utilizing medical records, and medical terminology. Major duties include: Receives and enters data of patient for registration in VISTA Radiology Package of pending procedure requests. Receives patients, medical personnel, and visitors to Radiology Service and directs them to the appropriate person or section. Incumbent screens patient's requested exams for proper information including pertinent clinical history relating to the examination requested. Checks each patient in/out as necessary for the appointment package to be completed. Responsible for closely monitoring computer data of requested exams to avoid duplication of requests. Responsible for scheduling all Radiology Service examinations while abiding by the rules and timeframes for Out-Patient Wait Times. Incumbent schedules appointments through both telephone and in-person contact with patients in their assigned clinics Performs Advance Clinic Access and Service Connection Priority Scheduling. Follow the requesting provider's instructions and assist patients with scheduling preferences. The incumbent will be responsible for scheduling new and follow-up appointments adhering to all VHA directives and guidelines regarding scheduling and act on the scheduling request within 7 calendar days of the order entry date. Incumbent provides pre and post procedure patient education and coordinates all other appointments and procedures with any Radiology appointments and procedures. Maintains knowledge of day-to-day Radiology operations and terminology involving other services within the Medical Center. Guidelines are principally the Radiology policy and procedures manuals, VA manuals, circulars, technical bulletins, Medical Center policy memorandums, manuals from The Joint Commission and formal instructions. Demonstrates the ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize the work in order to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730 am -1600 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53919-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Experience and Education: Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office, [customer service], or other [administrative] 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. Certification. None required. English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j 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: Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), GS-6. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Assignment: 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. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: i. Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g. medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to accomplish team goal setting to ensure medical care to patients is met. ii. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. iii. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, electronically, by phone, in person, and in writing, with internal and external customers. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels, as well as resolving patient concerns. iv. Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process (including, but not limited to, scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community models and patient health care portals) as it relates to access to care. v. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or care in the community operational activities that affect patient flow, and patient support care administrative functions to include, but not limited to appointment cycles, outside patient referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability, etc. vi. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience with CPRS, VISTA, Cerner applications. Prior experience with clerical, office and customer service skills. Background in medical terminology and healthcare software is beneficial for understanding the organization and services in healthcare. Must have practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems, and software related to patient care. 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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 01/22/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862903. 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: 2026-01-22