Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or [changed to a lower grade] within the occupation
• 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
• 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 Determination: Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-7 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: daily workload assessments, assigning work, and assuring proper staffing coverage
• evaluating training records
• and determining training needs of MSAs to provide support across interdisciplinary settings, ensuring accurate and timely scheduling of appointments
• providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures
• creating and maintaining employee work schedules
• and acting as a liaison among Advanced MSA staff, patients, and other interdisciplinary staff to resolve day-to-day conflicts
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties 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 related to administrative functions in a patient support setting
• Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities
• Assignment
• Supervisory MSAs plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility
• Assignment
• Supervisory MSAs plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility
• Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate MSA staff
• resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met
• evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved clinic operations
• identifying educational or training needs
• making final decisions on hiring selections
• evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary
• The employee has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the MSA's activities
• For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% if the time
• Physical Requirements: Must have the mental, emotional and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and pass the requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies and meet the physical demands as described below.