Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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
• No experience required
• Education
• 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 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 MSA (Entry Level) You must meet the Basic Requirements outlined above
• GS-4 MSA (Developmental Level) 1
• Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR 2
• Education
• One year of education above high school
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1
• Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients
• 2
• Ability to use, and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e
• computer systems, web based scheduling programs
• insurance collection system
• scanning software, multiple line phone systems
• electronic faxing programs) to support patient care
• 3
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients
• 4
• Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics
• GS-5 MSA (Full Performance Level) 1
• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR 2
• Education
• Two years of education above high school
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to Basic Requirements and the experience listed above, candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1
• Ability to operate computerized programs and systems in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive medical and patient identifying information (PII) into or from electronic health records, scheduling systems, and/or reports
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients
• 3
• Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting
• 4
• Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work
• 5
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers
• 6
• Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Medical Support Assistant Qualification Standard (va.gov) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.