Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)

This Medical Support Assistant (Advanced), also referred to as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) is in the Health Administration Service of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in Houston, TX including outlying community based out-patient clinics.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The position is located at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and is organizationally aligned under the Domiciliary Residential and Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DRRTP) within the Veterans Care and Transitional Service Line. The duties of the Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) include but are not limited to: Accepts all telephone calls to the Domiciliary regarding program inquiries and utilizes "administrative" systems knowledge in assessing patient/caller needs, practices independent decision-making, coordinates care needs and direct problem resolution as appropriate. Determines the nature of the call and/or refers the call to the appropriate clinical or administrative personnel as needed. Utilizes computer technology to ensure continuity of care through accurate patient information, communication, and documentation. Uses the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (Vista) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to access information in the VA Healthcare Computer System as needed. Computer Knowledge - Applies knowledge of various software functions (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint to manipulate and arrange data in documents with complicated formats such as graphics and tables. Understands advanced software capabilities sufficiently to utilize the more advanced function keys in a manner that increases productivity, e.g. enters, sorts, calculates, retrieves, and revises data for documents: Acts as a patient advocate and tries to resolve patient needs to the best of their ability and/or notifies Supervisor of issues. May be asked to assist with the training and/or orientation of administrative duties to new staff as needed. Serves as primary timekeeper for the Domiciliary and maintains reports of assigned Domiciliary staff leave schedule. Assists with the requisition of office supplies, equipment maintenance, prepares and distributes meeting minutes, maintains electronic and paper files in accordance with Veterans Health Administration Records Control Schedule 10-1. Assists with a full range of administrative procedural work for the Domiciliary as assigned. Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies Lead/Supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by the Domiciliary Chief. Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment. Anticipates problems and attempts to prevent their recurrence when possible. Identifies procedural problems and brainstorms to implement a change as warranted. Actively participates as a team member through various duties as assigned, multidisciplinary program meetings, direct interaction with the Chief, development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, workflows, goals, and objectives. Position may require the incumbent to occasionally operate a GSA vehicle in performance of their duties. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Monday - Friday with possible extended hours based on patient care.(subject to change based on the needs of the service) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02416-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.

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/.