Intermittent Medical Support Assistant

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is a staff position located under the Medical Administrative Services (MAS) at VA NJ Health Care System
(VA NJHCS). The VA NJHCS is an integrated level of two (comprehensive healthcare) facilities: East Orange & Lyons and ten Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located throughout the State.

Duties include but are not limited to: The MSA required duties include receiving admitting scheduling & providing assistance & direction to Veterans seeking medical care. The MSA also functions as a fully qualified typist & possesses excellent communication skills.

• Assures all practice areas are adequately covered the assigned workload is accomplished within the time frame allotted by setting priorities and meeting deadlines adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs and ensures that each patient is courteously served.
• Participates in and independently follows up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care; evaluating patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient is vested; educating providers about shared patients (those who receive their care at multiple i/As or those who have care in the community) and bringing it to the attention of the provider.
• The incumbent demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care of a group of patients.
• Works collaboratively with community care clinical team to ensure the completion of all steps necessary for timely access to care in community for approval care.
• The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating care and communicating with the Third-Party Administrator (TPA-Optum) during the entire process from beginning to end.
• The incumbent will be responsible in ensuring that documents related to the Veterans care from the community are scanned into CPRS in a timely manner.
• The incumbent is responsible for the following: monitoring trending and analyzing data interpreting VA handbooks and directives regarding access/performance improvement/ patient flow issues; collaborates with the facility Access
• Coordinator; monitors progress of reviews and follow up on action items to ensure completion in a timely manner.
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 4 hour tours may vary depending on the needs of the service.
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).
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Functional Statement #: 24924F

• 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 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• 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 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.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
• Experience. No experience required.
• Education. High school diploma General Education Development equivalency certificate or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration. None
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.