USA Staffing

Position Title: MSA
Agency: Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number: CBSU-12003079-23-DMG Opens in new window
Open Period: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 to Friday, September 29, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.

A. Billings, MT

B. Bozeman, MT

C. Butte, MT

D. Fort Harrison, MT

E. Glasgow, MT

F. Glendive, MT

G. Great Falls, MT

H. Hamilton, MT

I. Kalispell, MT

J. Miles City, MT

K. Missoula, MT

2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

3. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.

A. Yes, I am considered a political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316.

B. Yes, I am considered a Non-career Senior Executive Service (SES), Limited Term SES, Limited Emergency SES Executive Branch employee.

C. Yes, I am considered a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch.

D. Yes, I am considered a political appointee in the Executive Branch (as described in a., b. or c above) in a covered position in an agency having an interchange agreement with OPM, which allows movement from the agency's system to the competitive civil service.

E. None of the above. I am not considered a current or recent (last 5 years) political appointee as described above in items a, b, c, or d.

Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Accuracy of Application Reminder:
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

Thank you for your interest in the Medical Support Assistant GS-679 position with the Veterans Health Administration. Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

1. English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Are you proficient in spoken and written English?

A. Yes

B. No

2. Experience or Education. Select the appropriate answer based on your level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position (A copy of your transcript must be submitted or you will be determined ineligible if using education to apply).

A. I have six (6) months experience of clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

B. I have one (1) year of education above high school.

C. I have a combination of experience and education. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

D. I do not have the experience and/or education described above.

Grade Specific Requirements

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

3. GS-3 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to meet, communicate, and interact with individuals in a courteous and helpful manner in order to give instructions and arrange appointments.
Ability to utilize computer systems to enter administrative data in patient systems.
Ability to learn and utilize basic medical terminology to record patient messages and physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care.

Do you meet the KSAs as described above?

A. Yes

B. No

4. GS-4 Experience or Education: Candidates at the GS-4 level must have one year of experience in clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position OR two years of education above high school (transcripts required).

Do you meet the experience or education requirement as described above?

A. I have one (1) year of experience in clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of this position.

B. I have two (2) years of education above high school.

C. I do not have the experience and/or education described above.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

5. GS-4 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to meet, communicate and interact with individuals from varying backgrounds and other health care team members in a courteous and helpful manner in order to facilitate medical care for patients.
Ability to use and navigate between, various types of office automation equipment and software (i.e. computer systems, web based scheduling programs; insurance collection system; scanning software, multiple line phone systems; electronic faxing programs) to support patient care.
Knowledge of basic medical terminology to assist in the provision of care to patients.
Skill in recording patient messages and understanding physician requests pertaining to follow-up medical care in internal or external clinics.

Do you meet the KSAs as described above?

A. Yes

B. No

6. GS-5 Experience or Education: Candidates at the GS-05 full performance level must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 level OR four (4) years of education above high school (transcripts required). The required experience for this position includes: scheduling patients for treatment, interviewing patients for appointments, referring patients to specialty clinics, reviewing and documenting medical electronic health records as well as administrative records, verifying third party insurance, and coordinating information and actions related to patient care services.

Do you meet the experience or education requirements as described above?

A. I have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which can include: scheduling patients for treatment, interviewing patients for appointments, referring patients to specialty clinics, reviewing and documenting medical electronic health records as well as administrative records, verifying third party insurance, and coordinating information and actions related to patient care services.

B. I have four (4) years of education above high school.

C. I do not have the experience and/or education described above.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

7. GS-5 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

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.

Do you meet the KSAs as described above?

A. Yes

B. No

RESUME REMINDER - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title
Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

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