Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (Mental Health Service Line)
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Summary
The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in the Mental Health Service Line has full responsibility for supervising administrative patient support staff in an outpatient or interdisciplinary setting. Mental Health provides medical administrative support to direct patient care throughout the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS).
The Duty Station of this position maybe located in Corpus Christ, Harlingen, or McAllen, Texas.
Overview
- Accepting applications
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Open & closing dates
10/18/2024 to 11/01/2024
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more -
Salary
$54,562 - $70,928 per year
This salary range represents the Corpus Christi catchment area. The salary range for Harlingen and McAllen is $54,292 to $70,578.
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Pay scale & grade
GS 8
- Help
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
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Remote job
No
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent
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Work schedule
Full-time
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Service
Excepted
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Promotion potential
None
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
Yes
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Position sensitivity and risk
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Trust determination process
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Financial disclosure
No
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Bargaining unit status
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Announcement number
CAZM-12577235-25-JDT
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Control number
814872400
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open only to Current & Permanent employees of the Mental Health Service Line of VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend HCS.
Videos
Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Medical Support Assistant: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-MSA-VA-Career-Flyer.pdf
Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) duties include but are not limited to:
- Assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate MSA staff;
- Resolving complex patient issues to ensure patient services are met identifying educational or training needs of subordinate staff;
- Resolving employee issues at the Supervisory level;
- Evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved clinic operations;
- Making final decisions on hiring selections;
- Evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary actions when necessary. The incumbent is responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide report supporting performance measures, insurance capture, workload capture to senior management. The effectiveness with which assignments are accomplished has a significant impact on the overall mission of the Mental Health Service;
- Conducting regular meetings with subordinates for discussion and resolution of work problems. Establishes new work methods and in-service training on an 'on going' basis. Schedules and encourages participation of employees in various VATVCBHCS training courses and opportunities;
- Initiating all requests for personnel action, performance appraisals, and serves on and/or chairs interview panels to conduct interview of applicants and makes recommendations to the selecting official. Works with HIMS and Quality Management staff to ensure appropriateness of Medical Records usage are in compliance with Tic standards, and Release of Information (ROI) and Privacy standards are upheld at all times.
Other duties of this assignment include but are not limited to:
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining Advanced Clinic Access principles;
- Stays abreast of clinic wait time issues, both length of time to appointment and actual time spent waiting for the provider;
- Functions as customer service leader in the clinic. Trains staff on customer service principles;
- Assesses patient satisfaction on a periodic basis;
- Investigates and problem solves patient care issues to include patient complaints and congressional inquiries;
- Provides orientation to new medical support assistant staff concerning administrative functioning of the clinic;
- Trouble shoots information technology issues to include use of CPRS and VISTA Imaging and hardware issues;
- Manages clinic supplies and equipment by interfacing with SPD and Biomedical Engineering;
- Maintains physical plant of the clinic by ensuring cleanliness and functionality of surroundings;
- Discusses, investigates and responds to employee grievances and dissatisfactions in order to resolve conflicts;
- Responsible for oral and written presentations at large staff meetings;
- Provide ongoing training and assistance to new and incumbent personnel regarding office polies and procedures;
- The incumbent organizes and realigns the workforce to maximize productivity by reviewing clinical profiles and work ethics for maximum utilization of clinic capacity;
- Administer the internal review, quality, and productivity initiatives for the organization;
- Generate required reports;
- Monitors no-shows to clinic and assists in appropriate disposition of such patients;
- Monitors clinic functions for quality improvement opportunities. Anticipates needed changes based on data and recommends appropriate action or suggests appropriate alternatives;
- Daily monitoring of workload capture and view alerts (VA Alerts);
- Oversight to assists providers in completing encounters and clinical reminders;
- Daily monitoring of incoming consults to ensure timely and appropriate scheduling;
- Assists providers in the discharge of patients back to Primary Care ass appropriate;
- Prepare action plans and provide recommendation for corrective action;
- Anticipates staff shortages and adjusts clinic schedule accordingly.
Telework: As determined by agency policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Experience and Education. Experience: Six months experience of clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position; OR
- Education. One year above high school; OR
- Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
- English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.
Grade Determinations:
Supervisory Medical Support Assistant GS-08
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
- Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.
- Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.
- Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.
- Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.
- Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.
- Knowledge in personnel management, organizational structuring and strategic planning.
- Possesses interpersonal skills to motivate and provide direction to diverse staff and solve complex administrative problems.
- Must be capable of functioning independently and making complex decisions
- Ability to use computer applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Power Point, Word, and Excel.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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 (VA)
- Other (1)
- Performance Appraisal
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12577235.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information
- VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov
- Address
- VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS
2601 Veterans Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.