NHS Human Services, Inc.

Summary The incumbent serves as a Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) Health Benefits Advisor within Business Administration Service (BAS) at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant at grade GS-06 works collaboratively supporting an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., with a patient aligned care team (PACT), or within another specialty care setting where the PACT model is used such as Medicine, Surgical, Mental Health and etc. Responsibilities Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 640-06919F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for interviewing patients applying for medical benefits. Applications may be received in person, by telephone, by mail, or referral from another VA. Verifying eligibility/entitlement for benefits of all applicants using various methods. Entering demographic, insurance, and income information into the Veteran Enrollment System (VES). Accurately generates patient data cards for Veterans applying for care using the Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) system. Communicating and interacting with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Coordinating with the patient care team to review clinic utilization to ensure the clinic set-up closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinic and to make any necessary adjustments. Screening and receiving phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determines the nature of request and provides the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic. Following though on providers orders including scheduling appropriate consultation requests, labs, x-rays and various other specialty clinics available. Processing delinquent recall reminders and contacts patients for scheduling into the primary care, specialty, and mental health clinics. The AMSA will schedule all appointments either in person or by phone. Scheduling appointments in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines. Reviews schedules and ensures clinic slots are managed appropriately to maximize capacity making schedule changes, as necessary. The AMSA refers all questions regarding immediate medical attention to appropriate health care team member. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. Experience and Education (1) 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,(2) Education. One year above high school; OR,(3) 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. Foreign Education-To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Physical Requirements- See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following [education and experience] criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-06 Experience - One year of experience equivalent to the [GS-5] grade level. In addition to the one year of specialized experience at the next lowest grade (GS-06) level, candidates must demonstrate the below KSAs: 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: Interviewing patients applying for medical benefits. Entering demographic, insurance, and income information into the Veteran Enrollment System (VES). Generating patient data cards for Veterans applying for care using the Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) system. Verifying eligibility/entitlement for benefits of all applicants using various methods including income assessments, military discharge documents, Veterans Information Solution (VIS), DPRIS, VBMS, and other means, such as communications with VA Regional Office or VA Records Processing Centers. Extreme knowledge of the Medical Center and policies is required to respond to inquiries from Veterans, Medical Center staff and other agencies regarding applying for care, eligibility, etc. Monitoring enrolled patient data base information on a regular basis to perform updates to health insurance data, income assessments for the Means Test and Pharmacy Co-pay Exemption programs as mandated by law. Identifying and collecting health insurance information all applicants for entry to VES, copies, or scans insurance company enrollment identification cards and researches employers as needed. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/117, PART II, APPENDIX G45. MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0679, Veterans Health Administration, August 1, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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.