VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Advanced Medical Support Assistant
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, 68511
Summary
The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service functions as an initial point of contact for the units, clinics, and patients. Duties include, but are not limited to: scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders and consults in the organizational medical systems. This position requires practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems, and software related to patient care.
Duties Major Duties Customer Service
Greet and check in patients, assist patients with mobile check-in if needed.
Gather medical information if needed.
Refer patients to appropriate member of health care team as needed.
Report backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians.
Document complaints.
Ability to identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issues accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
Resolve difficult problems and diffuse potential dissatisfaction with VA services.
Receptionist Duties
Monitor copying and faxing.
Answer and route incoming phone calls.
Administrative Duties
Checks Recall Reminder lists to avoid delinquencies.
Prepare for clinic including printing appointment and clinic lists.
Ensure encounter forms are completed.
Ensure return to clinics orders are completed daily.
Routinely review of active/pending consults daily.
Interpret, verify, and disposition of provider orders.
Complete reports.
Record meeting minutes, scribe with co-signer.
Monitor appointments for area of responsibility.
Process all transfers to other facilities.
Monitor Audio care.
Perform basic eligibility requirements.
Maintenance of warehouse supplies and clinic forms
Special Duties as assigned Work Schedule 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. Duty hours will vary and will be discussed during the interview process.
Pay Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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 # 000000.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Not Authorized.
Requirements Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (""). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state‑issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2‑year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/12/2026.
Medical Support Assistant Basic Requirements Citizen of the United States. (Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
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.
Education: One year above high school.
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.
Grandfathering Provision
Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.
Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
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
Knowledge of MSA Practices: To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non‑paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non‑VA hospital or clinic setting.
Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher‑level duties must comprise of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Part‑time Experience: Part‑time Experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship for the full‑time workweek. For example, an MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2‑time basis, would receive one full‑time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑6.
You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
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: 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: (Link omitted).
Additional information The 2‑page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
Area of Consideration
1st Area of Consideration: Current permanent employees of the Nebraska‑Western Iowa Health Care System to include the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and the NWI Veterans Canteen Service.
2nd Area of Consideration: All other VA Agency Employees.
3rd Area of Consideration: All other applicants.
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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
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Duties Major Duties Customer Service
Greet and check in patients, assist patients with mobile check-in if needed.
Gather medical information if needed.
Refer patients to appropriate member of health care team as needed.
Report backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative physicians.
Document complaints.
Ability to identify customer's concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issues accurately and timely, and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
Resolve difficult problems and diffuse potential dissatisfaction with VA services.
Receptionist Duties
Monitor copying and faxing.
Answer and route incoming phone calls.
Administrative Duties
Checks Recall Reminder lists to avoid delinquencies.
Prepare for clinic including printing appointment and clinic lists.
Ensure encounter forms are completed.
Ensure return to clinics orders are completed daily.
Routinely review of active/pending consults daily.
Interpret, verify, and disposition of provider orders.
Complete reports.
Record meeting minutes, scribe with co-signer.
Monitor appointments for area of responsibility.
Process all transfers to other facilities.
Monitor Audio care.
Perform basic eligibility requirements.
Maintenance of warehouse supplies and clinic forms
Special Duties as assigned Work Schedule 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. Duty hours will vary and will be discussed during the interview process.
Pay Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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 # 000000.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Not Authorized.
Requirements Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (""). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state‑issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2‑year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/12/2026.
Medical Support Assistant Basic Requirements Citizen of the United States. (Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
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.
Education: One year above high school.
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.
Grandfathering Provision
Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.
Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
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
Knowledge of MSA Practices: To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non‑paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non‑VA hospital or clinic setting.
Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher‑level duties must comprise of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Part‑time Experience: Part‑time Experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non‑VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship for the full‑time workweek. For example, an MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2‑time basis, would receive one full‑time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑6.
You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
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: 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: (Link omitted).
Additional information The 2‑page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
Area of Consideration
1st Area of Consideration: Current permanent employees of the Nebraska‑Western Iowa Health Care System to include the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and the NWI Veterans Canteen Service.
2nd Area of Consideration: All other VA Agency Employees.
3rd Area of Consideration: All other applicants.
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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
#J-18808-Ljbffr