Advanced Medical Support Assistant Job

Advanced Medical Support Assistant Opportunities at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

Operating at the intersection of medical administration and compassionate patient care, the role of an Advanced Medical Support Assistant (MSA) is pivotal within the United States federal healthcare system. The Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the Veterans Health Administration, is actively recruiting for an exceptional professional to join the team at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. Working within the Office of Community Care, this position offers an extraordinary chance to support veterans in navigating their clinical care pathways, coordinating clinical systems, and working directly with diverse medical teams.

As an Advanced MSA, you will serve as the heartbeat of the clinical administration, orchestrating schedules, verifying demographic records, managing secure messaging systems, and bridging the gap between inpatient discharges and outpatient follow-ups. If you are an administrative professional looking to translate your skills into a high-impact public service career, this comprehensive guide will detail the agency, responsibilities, salary, and requirements necessary to submit a winning application.

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About the Agency: The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs is widely recognized for its deep commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centric healthcare. Veterans choose and trust the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center because of its exceptional, mission-driven staff. Situated in the heart of Wichita, Kansas—the state's largest metropolitan area with a community of approximately 500,000 residents—the Dole VA Medical Center blends world-class medical facilities with the warm hospitality of the Midwest. Wichita itself boasts a remarkably affordable housing market, extensive cultural resources, and scenic, vibrant neighborhoods.

The Dole VA Medical Center provides a wide array of comprehensive healthcare services to America’s heroes, including:

• Primary Care Services: Actively serving over 24,000 veterans annually across Wichita and regional clinics in Salina, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, and Parsons.
• Specialized Care: Offering 22 medical and surgical specialties serving over 50,000 veterans annually.
• Emergency Medicine & Surgery: A modern 9-bed Emergency Department handling over 22,000 annual visits and 6 state-of-the-art surgery suites.
• Behavioral Health Support: Providing crucial psychiatric and counseling services to more than 65,000 veterans each year.
• Extended Care: Features a 30-bed Community Living Center combined with a compassionate 10-bed Hospice unit.

By joining this esteemed institution, you become part of a legacy of service, helping to manage patient flow and care transitions within a facility that prides itself on clinical excellence.

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Job Responsibilities

An Advanced Medical Support Assistant does not merely schedule appointments; they serve as critical administrative coordinators within an interdisciplinary care model. You will work closely with medical doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists, social workers, and other allied health professionals to ensure that patients receive seamless, timely care.

Key responsibilities include:

• Interdisciplinary Care Coordination: Participating in daily clinic huddles to share information, identify patient care priorities, resolve scheduling barriers, and manage daily clinic flows.
• Appointment Management: Coordinating medical appointments across multiple specialties, managing outside patient referrals, controlling overbooking parameters, and tracking provider availability.
• Secure Patient Communications: Actively processing incoming secure messages through the 'My HealtheVet' electronic portal and routing clinical concerns to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
• System Integrity & Electronic Records: Validating patient demographics and insurance data during the check-in process, resolving billing issues, and identifying incomplete clinical encounters to notify providers.
• Transition of Care Support: Managing administrative duties relating to the transfer of patients to external civilian facilities or other VA medical centers, ensuring patient records are updated and follow-ups are coordinated.

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Requirements & Qualifications

To qualify for this GS-06 level position, applicants must meet specific federal standards. These combine general federal employment rules with clinical administrative expertise.

Basic Requirements:

1. U.S. Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens are only considered in the absence of qualified citizens.
2. Education: A high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED or state proficiency certificate) is required.
3. Language Proficiency: Candidates must be fully proficient in written and spoken English.
4. Vaccination Mandate: Since this is a health care personnel (HCP) role, annual seasonal influenza vaccination is a condition of employment, unless an official medical or religious exemption is approved.

Grade-Specific Experience (GS-06):

To qualify at the full performance level of GS-06, candidates must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. This experience can be acquired in a VA clinic, or in a civilian hospital, inpatient ward, outpatient clinic, or private medical office.

Your resume must show experience in:

• Scheduling, rescheduling, and canceling medical appointments and consults.
• Managing electronic patient records and databases.
• Monitoring appointment requests from multiple online channels.
• Conducting patient check-ins and updating insurance records (e.g., TRICARE, private insurances).
• Collaborating with clinicians during huddles to plan and manage daily clinical patient loads.

Physical Demands:

The work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive periods of sitting, keyboarding, and managing phone inquiries. However, occasional walking, light carrying, bending, and standing to interact with patients or retrieve clinical materials are required.

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Salary Overview and Grade Comparison

The Advanced Medical Support Assistant position is graded on the federal General Schedule (GS) at the GS-06 level. For this specific announcement at the Wichita VA Medical Center, the compensation is fixed at a flat starting salary.

Position Level	Grade	Salary (Annual)	Primary Focus	Key Responsibilities
Medical Support Assistant (Entry)	GS-05	Equivalent Base	Basic scheduling and check-in	Routine clinic scheduling, phone reception, and data entry.
Advanced Medical Support Assistant	GS-06	$51,592	Complex coordination & Care Integration	Interdisciplinary huddles, community care referrals, secure messaging coordination, and care transitions.

Note: The salary listed ($51,592) reflects the starting salary for the GS-06, Step 1 level within this local commuting area. Federal salary structures also include periodic step increases and potential cost-of-living adjustments.

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Benefits

Working for the Veterans Health Administration offers some of the most stable and comprehensive benefits packages in the United States. The federal government ensures that its healthcare administrative professionals are well-supported in both their personal and professional lives.

Key benefits include:

• Retirement Security: A three-tiered retirement system featuring the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Health Insurance: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, offering a wide selection of comprehensive plans for individuals and families.
• Paid Leave: Accumulate paid annual leave (vacation time), sick leave with no cap on accrual, and enjoy 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a stable, predictable, full-time schedule (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) with no weekend or night shifts, allowing you to prioritize your family and personal interests.

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Application Tips

Applying for federal positions requires a higher degree of detail than applying for private-sector roles. To ensure your package passes through the initial Human Resources screening, follow these strategic tips:

1. Use the Double-Resume Strategy: The VA requires a specific, standardized one-page clinical resume template. Download the document, fill it out, and upload it to the two-page restricted 'Resume' portal slot. For your full work history, upload a detailed CV/resume with no page limits to the 'Other' document field to ensure the HR team has access to all your detailed accomplishments.
2. Explicitly Address the KSAs: Do not leave your knowledge, skills, and abilities to the imagination. Ensure your resume contains clear examples of how you communicate with clinicians, prioritize administrative deadlines, apply medical terminology, and manage clinical scheduling systems.
3. Submit Transcripts: If you are utilizing post-high school education to substitute for or support your experience, you must submit legible, official or unofficial college transcripts.
4. Confirm Eligibility Requirements: If you are a current or former federal employee, ensure you upload your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to prove your grade eligibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this position telework-eligible?

No. Due to the high degree of patient interaction, clinical check-ins, and direct collaboration with clinical staff on-site, this position is fully in-person at the Wichita, KS facility. Telework is not authorized.

Q: Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Under VA policy, non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified U.S. citizens. United States citizens receive absolute priority.

Q: Is there a probation period?

Yes. Upon accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1- or 2-year trial period to evaluate your overall performance, conduct, and alignment with the agency's organizational goals.

Q: What documentation do I need to prove my high school graduation?

To satisfy basic requirements, you must provide a copy of your high school diploma, high school transcript, GED certificate, homeschooling completion document, or college transcripts showing higher-level educational achievements.

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The Advanced Medical Support Assistant role at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is more than an administrative desk job—it is a vital service position that impacts the daily healthcare experiences of thousands of military veterans in Kansas. If you have the required clinical administrative experience, a strong grasp of medical terminology, and an unwavering commitment to public service, this career opportunity provides a stable, highly rewarding, and well-compensated pathway within the federal civil service. Prepare your application carefully, address your KSAs thoroughly, and take the next step in your professional journey.