Job Details

Lead Medical Support Assistant

DUTIES: The position is responsible to lead a group of at least 15-20 Medical Support Assistants (MSA) at GS-6 level while being responsible to their supervisor for ensuring that the work assignments for their team are carried out by performing a range of duties such as:

• Timekeeping: The Lead MSA will be responsible for recording time/validating timecards for staff members, meeting timecard deadlines and relate needs.
• Distribute and balance the workload among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization, assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload, and assure that each employee is keep busy.
• Communicate with the supervisor of the status and progress of work, and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be handled promptly.
• Estimate and report on expected time of completion of work and maintain records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepare reports as requested; Instruct employees in specific tasks/job techniques and make available written instructions, reference materials and supplies.
• Give on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Communicates with supervisor and assist with unusual situations which do not have clear precedents. The incumbent plans and carries out successive steps of work assignments. Independently handles scheduling problems and deviations based on personal knowledge of clinic operations policy, schedules, and provider's preferences. Coordinates efforts to ensure all aspects of duties are accomplished efficiently, timely, and correctly. Plans and carries out the day-to-day operation of the office independently utilizing initiative to resolve workload or task problems.
• Maintain current knowledge and answer questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc., obtaining needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that arise.
• Check on work in progress or spot check work not requiring review, to include audits of completed work to see that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.
• Amend or reject staff work not meeting establish standards, refer to supervisor with questions or matters not covered by leads abilities.
• Monitor working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, etc. Resolve assignment complaints of employees and refer others to superior.
• Report to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees. Report to supervisor staff behavior problems.
• Provides information to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs.

NON-VA SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS:

• Initiates/prepares automated authorization for medical and hospital services to include appropriate explanation of VA guidelines. Ensures completed authorization is mailed/faxed to appropriate veterans and providers. Performs "validity reviews"(follow-up) of long-term/short-term authorizations to determine the need for continued community care. Notifies veteran of review and requests information from veteran and physician. Ensures that necessary information is received/prepares information/recommendation for submission of continuation or discontinuation of community care.
• Must create an authorization for claims from established care, utilizing the FBCS fee basis program software as well as for VCA's. In addition, can create a Third-Party Administrator authorization form for submission to TPA. Also involves the assessment and obligation of funds, compiling statistical data for monthly reports, and imposing/preparing correspondence associated with authorizing and/or denying treatment at VA expense.
• Composes letters and provides verbal assistance to a variety of individuals regarding the application/approval/appellate processes involved. Responsible for editing of patient data/authorizations in CPRS/FBCS to reflect changes in status of existing authorizations, cancellations, reinstatements, corrections, or other types of alterations.
• Cancels fee basis consults when notices are received. Initiates a "delete or cancelled" transaction to modify fee basis files in addition to performing miscellaneous associated clerical functions.
• Utilizes a full range of office automation skills and techniques (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, data base management, etc.) in order to assist in providing clerical, administrative, and program support.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Ad-Hoc

Virtual: This is a virtual position and requires you to live within commuting distance of and report for duty at your nearest VHA location.

Remote: This is not a remote position.

Functional Statement #: 195-53127-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized