Medical Support Assistant

The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) supports multiple areas within the Outpatient Clinics, Health Administration Services, and Call Centers. Duties mainly support the overall management and coordination of appointments for Veterans within all Medical Centers or community clinics.

Located in the in-patient clinical wards, admissions and emergency department; the Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative duties in support of patient care within in-patient units/ wards, admissions and emergency department. The MSA is responsible for the overall management, coordination and administration of all hospital admissions and accommodation activities. MSAs are to be proficient in all appointment scheduling functions.

This position provides support work regarding the care and treatment given to patients in the emergency department, admissions, ward and other such units as assigned. MSAs perform a variety of support duties that facilitate the work of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, and other members of the medical facility who provide patient care in reference to admissions, patient movement and discharges.

The work involves duties such as serving as a ward receptionist, performing record duties, performing provider and treating specialty changes, receiving and relaying messages/information, obtains any prior treatment records needed by the professional staff; bed assignment changes within the unit; keeps current with nursing staff on all patient actions and movements; performs daily validation of ward census and ward rosters assisting with transportation for patient exams, assisting with patient transfers internal/external, referring patients for means testing, answering routine inquiries, making appropriate referral of questions concerning patients' conditions, recognizing and referring urgent inquiries to appropriate professional staff, contacts Social Workers and Case Workers on behalf of nurses/patients for personnel and discharge planning needs;

contacts the travel office and AOD for transfer/discharges; contacts escort section for off-ward diagnostic and treatment procedures; updated Bed Management System (BMS), compiles ward morning report on a daily basis and provides information to admitting staff (ARC, SCO, and AOD's) on bed availability, and providing miscellaneous support to the medical staff of the unit. Responsible for making initial contact with the operator for emergencies such as fire, cardiac arrest, Code Blue/Green, and death situations by directing personnel, acting on emergency orders as appropriate.

The work requires a practical knowledge of computerized data entry and information processing systems, the medical facility's organization and services, basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment, and a practical knowledge of the standard procedures, medical records, and medical terminology of the unit supported. The Medical Support Assistant is also responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of administrative duties in support of COVID-19 Vaccine Administration and regular appointment activities.

Serves as the administrative contact for Veterans and visitors. This position is established to support the facility's COVID-19 response.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

* Responsible for scheduling appointments, including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines.

* Preparing for clinic visits; monitoring outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility; ensuring encounter forms are completed in order to obtain appropriate workload credit.

* Performing basic eligibility, co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage.

* Makes computer entries to record arrival of patients to the vaccine clinic. Keeps current with nursing staff on patient actions and movements in the clinic.

* Monitoring the electric wait list and entering no-show information.

Work Schedule:

Multiple work schedules available, and are generally M-F during business hours. Exact shifts to be discussed with Supervisor.

Telework:
Not Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized