Medica Support Assistant (Advanced)

Summary

The AMSA Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) positions are in multiple service lines at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, located on multiple campuses. These position are full time. Most shifts are scheduled during the day but some shifts could be evenings, nights, and include weekends/holidays and may work tours other than their regular scheduled tour to cover shortages or high patient volume.

Shift changes will be considered based on patient and facility needs.

Duties

• These positions serve as a Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.
• Position is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to the assigned section.
• Duties may include, but are not limited to: Supports clinics regarding clinic profile management.
• Collects and updates insurance information from Veterans, family members and other eligible patients.
• Prepares correspondence and memos as needed.
• Screens/receive phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of request and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes.
• Ensures data is entered into VISTA accurately and scans documents into VISTA Imaging within 24 hours of entering the data into VISTA if applicable.
• Promotes Veterans registration for and utilization of MyHealthyVet (MHV) and kiosks usage.
• Follows procedures regarding Community Care referrals.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for units, clinics, patients, call centers, Care in the Community regarding various aspects of patient appointments and referrals.
• Enters Veterans seeking emergent/urgent care, scheduling appointments accurately.
• Pre-Registers Veterans during check-in and utilizing call lists and telephones Veterans before their scheduled visits.
• Incumbent updates all patient demographics.
• Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, day shifts hours, To Be Determined Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Remote: Not Authorized Telework/Virtual: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Position Title/Functional Statement # Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) /F01391 Notifications: THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on 09/28/2026.
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about June 24, 2026 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled.
• Please see the “What To Expect Next” area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement.
• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans’ preference for this job announcement.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).
• The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or Excepted).
• In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• Do not submit an award SF-50.
• Applicants may be referred over for consideration prior to the close date of this announcement.
• There may not be a vacancy at a listed location.
• Applicants for those locations will be added to our applicant pool if one should occur.
• 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

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
• In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.
• The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 dentification 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.

Education

Substitution of Education: There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Other (1)
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or higher education
• 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 grandfathering 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) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.