Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant supports the Clinic Practice Management Service at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. The position supports Tuscaloosa, Selma, AL and corresponding Mobile, Rural Health Clinics, and/or inpatient units. May be assigned to a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Mental Health Team, Ancillary Services, Consult Management team, Call Center team, or a Specialty Care Setting.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements :

United States Citizenship:

Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Experience:

None.

Education:

You must possess one of the following: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education. Licensure/Certification/Registration.

None English Language Proficiency:

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grandfathering Provision:

All Medical Support Assistants (MSAs) employed in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (February 20, 2026) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations :

Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) GS-06:

Experience:

One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service (GS-05).

Experience includes:

independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Advises clinical staff on current administrative processes. The MSA is responsible for answering 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. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: scheduling, canceling, re-scheduling patient appointments and/or consults; entering no-show information; monitoring appointment requests from multiple electronic sources; participating in huddles with other MSAs and/or clinic staff to determine the daily needs of the clinic, monitoring both inpatient and outpatient appointments in areas of responsibility; verifying and updating demographics and insurance information when patients check-in for appointments. Coordinates 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 (i.e., TRICARE, sharing agreements, collaterals, research patient, VA employee, etc.). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) : In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following

KSAs:

Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process, including scheduling across interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or community care models, and patient health care portals as they relate to access to care. Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures associated with interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery and/or community operational activities that affect patient flow, as well as patient support administrative functions (e.g., appointment cycles, outside referrals, follow-up care, overbooking, provider availability). Advanced knowledge of medical terminology due to the technical language used by clinicians. Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide range of medical clinicians across multiple disciplines (e.g., medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clinical pharmacists, and nursing staff) to support team goal-setting and ensure medical care needs are met. Ability to independently set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines while ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ . The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

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.