Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary

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.

Duties

• Duties may include, but are not limited to: Recommends changes to existing clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines. Expertise in utilizing numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Coordinates with the patient care team to review clinic appointment availability, utilization, and access to ensure that clinic schedules are closely monitored to effectively support the needs of the clinics and make adjustments as necessary. Develops and/or maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model team, VA clinical and administrative support staff, and the community as other agencies. Communicates with non-VA medical facilities; prepares correspondence to notify patients of normal lab results; and manages any system for follow-up care such as consults, tests, etc. Processes incoming patient secure messaging through My HealtheVet or secure messaging systems and patient portals and coordinates with the care team as appropriate. Identifies incomplete encounters and communicates findings to providers; assists the team to utilize the encounter to review and self-help solutions; enters appropriate information and documentation into the electronic record. Monitors pre-appointment information and/or requirements to ensure readiness for patient visits/appointments; manages patient systems to verify and validate accuracy and resolve issues. Evaluates patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether the patient requires an immediate appointment. 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. Utilizes numerous advanced patient systems in support of multiple clinics involved in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday. Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 979-5978 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

This position requires one of the following: High school diploma (including homeschooling), General Education Development (GED) certificate- Proficiency certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education, Post-high school education. If you do not have one of the education levels listed above, but you were in the Medical Support Assistant occupation (GS-0679) on a permanent appointment with the Department of Veterans Affairs as of February 5, 2026, meeting all qualification requirements as part of the grandfathering provision. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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/.