LEAD MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT

About the role

Puget Sound VA Medical Center is looking to fill a Lead Medical Support Assistant position in Tacoma, WA. The list generated from this announcement can be used up to 90 days to fill any additional vacancies that may arise.

What you will do

• The Lead Medical Support Assistants (LMSA) serves as the major communication link and provides continuity between the members of the patient care team and is expected to be thoroughly familiar with all administrative and operational functions of the activities that form Primary Care.
• Teams include the Nurse Manager, RN 's, Clinical Associates, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Staff Physicians, Resident Physicians, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Primary Care Mental Health Providers and Students Duties include but not limited to: Receives patients and visitors in person or telephonically.
• Records and relays messages and/or redirect calls as necessary.
• Refers urgent messages and patient results to the appropriate Care Team member for immediate action.
• Obtains identifying information and determines the nature of the visit/call.
• Insures eligibility for care and contacts appropriate staff members for verification, when necessary.
• Schedules appointments and provide information regarding unit, clinic and hospital policies, procedures and locations to patients, family members, staff, etc., or refers to other resources for difficult questions or concerns.
• Maintains and monitors patient appointment schedules for the unit/clinic and communicates delays in scheduled appointments to the appropriate staff and patients.
• Attempts to resolve complaints of a local administrative nature and refers other complaints to appropriate authorities.
• Coordinates and/or schedules patient appointments with other clinics or specialties.
• Receives and handles concerns ensuring that quality service is rendered in a timely, competent, and caring maimer.
• Serves as coordinator for questions including interpretation of policy relating to the provision of medical services.
• Responds to complex questions involving a range of issues.
• Researches problems and/or reviews issues and requests related to information regarding provisions for medical care, eligibility, etc.; clarifies issues and evaluates the need for additional information.
• Provides advice regarding regulations.
• Identifies and recommends ways of eliminating, combining, simplifying, or improving procedures and processes.
• Ensures the database integrity by monitoring, for accuracy and completeness, all systems of data entry and collection; this includes current software as well as future updates and revisions Verifies benefit eligibility determinations; outlines the medical care benefits to which the patient has entitlement.
• Obtains all key information needed and initiates administrative processing of basic requests and forms.
• Provides eligibility determinations and information to the medical staff.
• Copies and files documentation and enters information into the computer.
• Provides administrative support for the facility in handling written correspondence and telephone inquiries, training, contacting various ancillary services to ascertain status of admission of transfers to other facilities.
• Coordinates care with local ancillary facilities for the care and/or testing or treatment of patients; i.e. laboratory testing, radiological screening.
• Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff, and professional staff regarding medical care eligibility.
• Determines immediate eligibility based on information supplied by the applicant.
• Responds to technical questions regarding patient rights, responsibilities, and dental/nursing home/medical eligibility for care.
• Processes admissions and transfers into the medical center.
• Performs clerical work in support of the care and treatment given to patients such as receiving patients and maintaining patient files.
• Processes all requests for compensation and pension examinations from Regional Office and ensures that reports are completed accurately within allotted time frames for each step in the examination process.
• Additional duties or tasks may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations.
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives : 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).
• 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) 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Education

Education is not used for substitution of experience at the GS 7 level.

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

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 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.