Conditions of employment
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 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 02/12/2026.
Medical Support Assistant Basic Requirements:
Citizenship: 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.
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.
Grandfathering Provision. All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:
- 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 consist 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.
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements candidates must possess the required specialized experience and be able to demonstrate all Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) as summarized below.
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.
1. Ability to collaborate with 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.
2. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines ensuring compliance with established processes policies and regulations.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians.
ANDDemonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
1. 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.
2. Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
3. Ability to organize work set priorities and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
4. Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
5. Ability to provide staff development and training.
6. 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.
References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G45; EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/1/2019; Medical Support Assistant QUALIFICATION STANDARD; GS-7
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7
Physical Requirements: The position requires no special physical demands but will require some physical effort such as
standing walking bending and sitting.
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
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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 - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
- 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 for 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.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
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 applicants 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.