Supervisory Medical Support Assistant - VA North Texas Health Care System (GS-8)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the nation's Veterans. The VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in Dallas, Texas, is actively seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to fill the crucial role of Supervisory Medical Support Assistant (MSA) at the GS-8 grade level. This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to oversee essential administrative and clerical functions that directly support patient care within a dynamic healthcare environment. If you are passionate about serving Veterans and possess proven leadership capabilities, this role promises a rewarding career with excellent benefits and the chance to make a significant impact.

About the Department of Veterans Affairs and VANTHCS

President Lincoln's promise to 'care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan' remains the guiding principle of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA strives to be the premier health care provider for Veterans, delivering the best possible care, setting standards for quality, and providing a seamless transition from military service to civilian life.

The VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) is a cornerstone of this mission, recognized as the second busiest VA system nationwide. With approximately 4,000 employees and over 1,600 volunteers and trainees, VANTHCS comprises the Dallas VA Medical Center, the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, the Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic, and the Tyler VA Primary Care Clinic. It also manages a network of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to enhance access across its expansive 40-county service area. Serving a Veteran population of around 500,000, VANTHCS is committed to providing a continuum of high-quality health care services. The Dallas VA Medical Center, the system's headquarters, is also a major teaching and medical research center, collaborating closely with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Job Responsibilities: Leading Administrative Excellence in Patient Care

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of patient support services. This leadership position involves planning, directing, and controlling a wide array of administrative and clerical tasks essential for the delivery of care. Key responsibilities include:

• Team Leadership and Management: Overseeing the work of Medical Support Assistants (MSAs), Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSAs), and Lead Medical Support Assistants (LMSAs). This includes interviewing and selecting new employees, subject to approval; tracking employee progress; evaluating performance; providing counseling; and making recommendations for awards and personnel actions.
• Operational Oversight: Planning and directing MSA/AMSA/LMSA activities across various areas such as eligibility and enrollment, beneficiary travel, scheduling call centers, compensation and pension services, and inpatient/outpatient clinical settings.
• Quality Improvement: Developing and maintaining a quality improvement program for the MSA team, collecting data on performance metrics like customer service and order accuracy, and ensuring compliance with established policies and regulations.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fostering effective multidisciplinary teamwork, promoting excellent customer service, and ensuring professionalism among staff to guarantee quality and continuity of care.
• Fiscal Management: Managing fiscal matters, forecasting resource and equipment needs, and identifying budget requirements to support departmental operations.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Demonstrating advanced knowledge in managing patient support staff, utilizing reference sources, making informed decisions, and empowering the team to collaboratively resolve issues within a complex healthcare system.
• Administrative Procedures: Ensuring that administrative procedures are executed in accordance with specified guidelines and within established timeframes.
• Staffing and Coverage: Adjusting schedules to accommodate frequent personnel absences and ensuring consistent, adequate coverage of assigned areas.
• Performance Monitoring: Reviewing key administrative processes, such as appointments, insurance verification, pre-registration, patient movement, and consults, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Training and Development: Providing briefings, orientations, staff development, and training to support the professional growth of the team.

Requirements: Foundational Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited, per VA policy.
• English Proficiency: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English.
• Background Investigation: Successful completion of a background and security investigation is mandatory.
• Onboarding: Selected applicants will participate in an online onboarding process.
• Identification: Acceptable forms of identification are required for pre-employment procedures. Please note that effective May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards will not be accepted.
• Physical Examination: A pre-employment physical examination must be passed.
• Influenza Vaccination: Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a mandatory requirement for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Application Completion: All requirements detailed in the 'Required Documents' section must be met.
• Trial Period: A 1 or 2-year trial period is a condition of employment to evaluate performance and determine if continued employment advances the public interest.

Experience and Education Pathways:

Candidates can qualify through the following:

• Experience: Six months of experience in clerical, office, customer service, or other administrative work that demonstrates the ability to acquire the necessary skills for the position.
• Education: Completion of one year of study above high school.
• Combination: An equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.

Grade Determination (GS-8):

To qualify at the GS-8 level, candidates need one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. This experience should involve leading or supervising Medical Support Assistants or similar administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical setting (inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary).

Preferred Experience

While not strictly required, candidates with the following experience will have a stronger application:

• Previous supervisory roles, especially in resolving complex issues involving patients, colleagues, or visitors.
• At least one year of experience conducting briefings, orientations, staff development, and training.
• Demonstrated experience conducting performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Prior experience as a Lead MSA, Advanced MSA, or MSA.
• Experience collaborating closely with upper management.

Salary Overview

The estimated salary range for this Supervisory Medical Support Assistant position at the GS-8 grade level is $72,247 to $93,917 per year. This range reflects the annual pay based on the established federal pay scale for this locality and grade.

Benefits: Comprehensive Support for Federal Employees

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs comes with a robust benefits package designed to support employees and their families:

Benefit Category	Description
Paid Time Off	Earn 37-50 days annually, including 13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays per year.
Parental Leave	Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following 12 months of employment for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy	Full-time employees with family income below $144,000 may be eligible for up to 25% of eligible childcare costs (monthly max $416.66).
Retirement Plan	Traditional federal pension with a 5-year vesting period. Access to a federal 401K with up to a 5% employer match contribution from the VA.
Health Insurance	Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options. Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
Recruitment/Relocation	Not authorized for this position.
Permanent Change of Station	Not authorized for this position.

Application Process and Tips

Applying for this federal position requires careful attention to detail. Here’s a breakdown of the steps and some helpful tips:

Application Steps:

1. Apply Online: Access the application through the USAJOBS website.
2. USAJOBS Account: Create a new USAJOBS account or log in to your existing one.
3. Resume and Documents: Select your USAJOBS resume and upload any other necessary supporting documents.
4. Occupational Questionnaire: Complete the detailed occupational questionnaire accurately.
5. Submission: Submit your complete application package, including all required documents, by the closing date of November 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Application Tips:

• Be Thorough: Ensure every section of your application, especially the resume and questionnaire, fully addresses the requirements and preferred qualifications. Use keywords from the announcement.
• Specific Descriptions: When detailing your experience, be clear, concise, and specific. Avoid generic statements; provide examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
• Required Documents: Verify that you have attached all documents listed in the 'Required Documents' section. Missing documents can lead to disqualification.
• Review and Submit Early: Proofread your entire application before submitting. Aim to apply a few days before the deadline to avoid potential technical issues on the closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the primary role of a Supervisory Medical Support Assistant? A1: The primary role involves leading and managing the administrative and clerical support staff responsible for patient care services, ensuring efficient operations across various departments.

Q2: What are the basic requirements to apply? A2: Basic requirements include U.S. Citizenship, English proficiency, and the ability to pass background checks and physical examinations. Specific experience or education is needed for qualification.

Q3: Does this position offer relocation assistance? A3: No, relocation assistance (Permanent Change of Station) is not authorized for this position.

Q4: What is the expected work schedule? A4: The typical work schedule is Monday to Friday, between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, with flexibility based on operational needs.

Q5: Can I use volunteer experience for qualification? A5: Yes, volunteer work can be credited if it demonstrates the critical competencies, knowledge, and skills required for the position.

Q6: What is the salary range for this position? A6: The annual salary range for this GS-8 position is $72,247 to $93,917.

The Supervisory Medical Support Assistant position at the VA North Texas Health Care System offers a significant leadership opportunity within a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving America's Veterans. With competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to patient care, this role is ideal for experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers in federal healthcare administration. If you meet the qualifications and are eager to lead a dedicated team, we encourage you to apply and become part of the VA's enduring commitment to Veteran health.