Lead Medical Support Assistant

VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Incumbent is a working Lead MSA that interviews and registers applicants to determine eligibility and legal entitlement of applicants for health care including assignment into the appropriate enrollment priority group. Applications may be received in person by mail by internet by fax or by referral from another VA facility. Verifies eligibility using various methods including: income assessments military discharge documents hospital inquiry (HINQ) benefits delivery network (BDN) Veteran information solutions (VIS) and other means such as communications with a VA Regional Office. Incumbent assists with gaining new employee access to various programs and applications so that new AMSAs can fully perform their job function. Incumbent is a working Lead MSA that administers income assessments (means test). Advises and counsels Veterans and their beneficiaries or representatives of financial obligations co-pay requirements and their rights to appeal. Deals with and resolves complex eligibility co-pay and insurance questions that arise. Displays adaptability in dealing with a wide range of individuals as necessary. Explains to each individual the specific conditions or actions that could affect their co-pay status or eligibility for benefits. Informs Veterans of their responsibility to report changes. Incumbent assists AMSAs using VHA regulations standard operating procedures and various information systems in making eligibility determinations that may be more intricate due to special factors that may be involved in the Veterans service record.

Incumbent captures specific types of eligibility such as OEF/OIF/OND Combat Veteran etc. Information may be gathered by mail fax internet and/or in person. The Lead MSA trains new AMSAs on performing these tasks and makes themselves available to assist AMSAs with questions and routine problems. Combat Veteran etc. Information may be gathered by mail fax internet and/or in person. The Lead MSA trains new AMSAs on performing these tasks and makes themselves available to assist AMSAs with questions and routine problems. System (ES) Veteran Integrated Software Technology (VistA) and other related programs.

The Lead MSA deals with a variety of benefits and/or obligations (i.e. medical benefits co-pay requirements medication benefits dental benefits special transportation and travel benefits) and special registries (i.e. agent orange Camp Lejeune burn-pit psychosis and other mental illnesses etc.). Reviews particular circumstances of each individual (i.e. military history marital status financial situation medical conditions etc.) to apply the regulatory requirements that will best meet the Veterans needs. Processes claims for hardship determinations catastrophic disability beneficiary travel deductible waivers and appointment/inpatient stay copay waivers. This includes researching for information and informing persons of alternative options. The Lead MSA will often be assigned enrollment/registration cases that involve special circumstances that require a higher knowledge of VHA regulations and the many data elements that may be involved in a Veteran enrollment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00 pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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).
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 $144000 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 #: #50343
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. None.
• Education. High school diploma General Education Development equivalency certificate or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
• 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.
• 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).

• 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.
• Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect and coordinating with a variety of interdisciplinary care team staff.
• Ability to utilize numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics in an interdisciplinary setting.
• Ability to organize work set priorities and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide staff development and training.
• 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.

• 3 years experience with the VA as an MSA/AMSA and familiarity with scheduling.
• 2years experience with VA enrollment and healthcare eligibility benefits processing.
• Extensive customer service background.
• Phone etiquette.