Medical Support Assistant

Overview

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) serves at the Birmingham, AL Health Care System. THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) closes on 02/27/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about 11/07/25 with subsequent reviews every two weeks as additional vacancies occur or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. Please see the “What To Expect Next” area of the announcement which provides additional information.

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant provides specialized and expert administrative patient support while working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work involves specialized administrative judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical flow processes relating to access to care across multiple clinics, specialties, and/or care in the community resources. Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines.

Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability (utilization) to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics, and makes adjustments as necessary.

• Answer phones, greeting patients, relaying messages to appropriate staff inside or outside of the unit, scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines
• Schedule, cancel, re-schedule patient appointments and/or consults
• Enter no-show information and monitor appointment requests from multiple electronic sources
• Participate in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic
• Monitor both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility
• Verify and update demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments
• Coordinate administrative functions relating to emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals and determines appointment type based on the patient’s eligibility status
• Serve as an initial point of contact for the units, clinics, patient, call centers, CitC, to include scheduling patient appointments, tracking, reviewing, and responding to electronic orders, consults, and other elements in the EMR and medical systems
• Utilize practical knowledge of computerized data entry, information processing systems and software related to patient care, the healthcare system’s organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment
• Apply knowledge of standard procedures, utilizing medical records, and medical terminology

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant can serve in one of the many areas listed below:

• Business Office
• Community Based Clinics
• Health Administration
• Mental Health
• Nursing Acute Care
• Occupational Medicine
• Primary Care

This will be discussed during the interview. Multiple work schedules are available. The schedule will be determined upon selection. May be expected to work evenings, rotating weekends, and/or holidays.

Not available

This is not a virtual position.

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Not authorized

37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.

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.

Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

• 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 will be denied employment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient…