Medical Support Assistant (Adv

Summary

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is located in the Emergency Department. The AMSA provides expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary care delivery model (a team comprised of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social work) which provides optimal care to acutely ill patients or those requiring post-operative care.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to The AMSA functions include monitoring clinical flow processes and supporting patient and unit's needs. They assist with the facilitation of inpatient admissions, transfers, and discharges; help with the organization and tracking of medical orders and tests (i.e. laboratory samples, x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds); and schedule appointments and consultations. The Advanced MSA's utilize and review various reports including but not limited to the missed medications and medication effectiveness reports and the surgery admissions schedules. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is highly skilled in performing a wide range of tasks and their advanced capabilities support and facilitate the overall operation of a complex inpatient unit. The Advanced MSA uses advanced knowledge of policies and procedures to coordinate interdisciplinary care delivery and performs all clerical, administrative and operational functions of the unit. The AMSA develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with patients, interdisciplinary medical teams, VA medical centers and other agencies. The Advanced Medical Support Assistant takes initiative and anticipates the needs of the unit, serving as the primary resource for patient information flow and processing. The GS-6 AMSA Functions as the payroll timekeeper or back-up timekeeper: duties include entering work and leave hours correctly in the Veterans Affairs Time and Attendance System (VATAS), reviewing the record for accuracy and working to resolve any pay issues. Ensures timecards are accurately posted and ready for supervisory approval on payroll Friday at 0800. Performs all aspects of timekeeping including yearly training and mandatory meetings. Advanced Medical Support Assistants are considered chief sources of patient care and patient flow information and require advanced knowledge of related policies and procedures. The AMSA uses advanced knowledge of medical terminology to verify orders in the computerized patient record system (CPRS); reviews admission, discharge and transfer (A/D/T) orders for accuracy; ensures laboratory tests, imaging and provider consults are entered correctly and completed in a timely manner; and contacts the appropriate sources for corrections when needed. The AMSA keeps up-to-date with regulations that concern eligibility for care, control of medical records, availability of and requesting special tests and procedures. Runs errands in support of team functions as requested by the program coordinator and other clinical staff, such as obtaining telemetry boxes and transporting and picking up blood products. Problem-solves office equipment malfunctions, obtaining IRM, Engineering, copier/fax technician, or Facilities Management support as indicated, and enters Electronic Work Orders (EWO) as needed; tracks progress of EWO until completed or follow up as needed. Receives and coordinates incoming/outgoing telephone, intercom, and electronic messages; receives and directs patients and visitors; answers routine inquiries about the office, its functions, and standard operating procedures; and makes appropriate referral of questions concerning patients' conditions. The AMSA is cross-trained to cover all inpatient units. Serves as a mentor and/or preceptor to new MSAs. Orients new team members (MSAs, physicians, nurses, and other ancillary staff) to the unit's administrative work flow to assist in fostering an interdisciplinary working relationship between healthcare members. Work Schedule: Full time; Work schedule will be determine upon selection. Telework: No 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60713-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. Must pass TB test 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 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 and evaluation

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. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: . 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript with your application.If selected, to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended, applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfathering provision: Copy of high school diploma OR high school transcript (unofficial or official) OR GED Certificate OR homeschooling completion OR proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education OR college transcript (official)

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050779. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/11/2026. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Resume (and/or curriculum vitae) which must include the following information for each job listed: Contact Information: Your name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number. Job Title/Employer Name: For each relevant work experience, be sure to include the Job Title and Employer/Company name. Pay Plan and Grades/Step Held: (for Federal positions) Duties: Please be as detailed as possible. We recommend that you include information directly related to the position you are applying to. Good examples of specific information can be found in the Duties and Qualifications sections of the announcement. Brief descriptions of job duties should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement - If you have performed any of those duties or have any of that experience, we are looking for that detail on your resume. We make no assumptions about prior work experience based on job title. We make no assumptions about prior work experience if you don't include the types of duties or tasks which would qualify you for the position. Experience must be listed on the resume under the position in which the duties were performed. For Federal applicants, this experience must be listed under the proper grade level to count towards qualifications. Month & year start/end dates: Include both month and year for each position start and end dates (example: June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status: Include the average number of hours you worked per week (example: 40 hours per week; 32 hours per week, 20 hours per week, etc. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable) Most recent SF-50 Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year o Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.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 Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans Preference has been waived for the GS-0679 Occupational Series through September 30, 2026.Ref: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER (OCHCO) BULLETIN. Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages: Dated October 1, 2025.

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.