Medical Support Assistant

Summary

The incumbent serves as Medical Support Assistant (MSA) in Radiology Service at the San Diego VA Healthcare System. Incumbent is responsible for scheduling outpatient clinic appointments using Veteran Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options and for scheduling imaging procedures using the Radiology Package. This is the full performance level of the Medical Support Assistant.

Duties

• VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo 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 The MSA works collaboratively with the patient care team to schedule outpatient imaging appointments, and to coordinate inpatient imaging procedures. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Review the imaging order to determine the urgency of the request and must differentiate between routine procedures and special studies. Review the request for accuracy and notifies the requesting physician of any discrepancies that would prevent action being taken. Review the patient computerized medical record (CPRS) to extract medical information including but not limited to laboratory reports, allergy information, BUN and creatinine levels, past medical history, and other pertinent medical information needed to schedule patient's imaging appointment. Screen patients to obtain information needed to determine if the patient meets the criteria to receive requested procedure. Uses obtained information to prepare required documents and to determine if the requested procedure requires protocol, if so, submits forms to the radiologist to protocol the order. Determine the patient's pre-appointment requirements and restrictions. Prior to the patient's scheduled appointment, incumbent communicates to the patient the appropriate restrictions and instructions required of the procedure, including but not limited to the patient's requirement to obtain current labs, need to fast, need to take premedication to advert an allergic reaction to contrast, etc. Contact the ordering provider to request an order for pre-medication, labs, etc., if required and not previously requested. Collaborate with the staff of other Services or Special Procedures to ensure all pre-procedure requirements are coordinated, e.g., Anesthesiology, Interventional Radiology, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Radiology Title: MSA GS-0679-05 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications

Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: Current Federal Employees are mandated to submit your recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) dated 2026 for eligibility that displays your actual and current grade, step, salary, and tenure. Award SF-50s are not considered eligible. 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 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). Grade Determinations: GS-05: Full Performance Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR Education. Two years of education above high school. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology specific to understand medical diagnosis and procedures sufficient to communicate clinical staff instructions to patients. Ability to schedule medical appointments in a clinical setting. Ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties performing patient support work. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, electronically, and/or by telephone, with internal and external customers. Skill in customer service with the ability to identify customer concerns, and refer to the appropriate staff, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Preferred Characteristics/ Experience 1. Experience with Window based computers; ability to type 40 wpm. 2. Previous experience scheduling radiologic procedures using an electronic appointment package is preferred. 3. Ability to learn quickly and retain large amounts of complex information relative to scheduling radiologic procedures and associated processes. Experience with rotating positions to provide cross-coverage. 4. Experience working in a very structured, fast paced, high volume, and ever-changing work environment. Must be able to adapt to a very busy work environment and handle stress and changing situations in a professional and collaborative manner. 5. Experience working in a customer service-oriented work environment with a variety of individuals and presents a professional appearance. 6. Experience working as part of a team to complete tasks as well as being responsible for completing individual work assignments. 7. Experience working in an environment requiring the ability to multi-task; for example, ability to schedule imaging procedures via phone and face-to-face, and coordinate a myriad of paperwork concurrently. Assignment. This is the full performance level for MSAs. At this level, the MSA independently performs a full range of duties related to the delivery of healthcare services in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Adv…

Education

Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or Higher: If using post high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05 you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official college transcripts with your application. If selected to meet the basic requirement of high school education or equivalent and prior to a firm job offer being extended applicants must provide one of the following as verification of the education requirement if not covered under the grandfather provision: Copy of High School Diploma OR High School Transcript (Unofficial or Official), OR GED Certificate, OR Homeschooling Completion, OR Proficiency Certificate issued by a State or Territorial Board or Department of Education, OR College Transcript (Official) 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/.