748job United States

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs › Veterans Health Administration (3689 current openings)

Who may apply

Limited to the following applicant groups:

  • Federal employees - Competitive service
  • Federal employees - Excepted service
  • Internal to an agency
Perry Point, Maryland
Full-time Security Clearance: Not Required
Application Deadline:
2026-08-21
Posted:
2026-08-11

2 days left to apply

Apply on usajobs.gov
Salary: $70,184 – $91,236 per year (GS-8)

Salary context

Based on 190 annual-salary jobs in the same occupational series. This role pays above most similar positions.

Job Details

Position Overview

Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and inpatient care. The Supervisory (MSA) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., Outpatient Care, PACT, Inpatient Care, and CBOCs).

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

DUTIES and FUNCTIONS:

The Supervisory (MSA) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., Outpatient Care, PACT, Inpatient Care, and CBOCs). Incumbent is responsible for the daily oversight of the area in which they are assigned, providing direct supervision, guidance and leadership to the staff assigned to their areas. The Supervisory (MSA) works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., Outpatient Care, PACT, Inpatient Care, and CBOCs). Incumbent is responsible for the daily oversight of the area in which they are assigned, providing direct supervision, guidance and leadership to the staff assigned to their areas.
  • Incumbent is responsible for defining overall objectives, priorities, and deadlines, assisting with unusual situations that do not have clear precedents, resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met, mentoring and oversight regarding the setting of priorities for their assigned staff, management of the staff schedules, knowledge of computerized data entry and information processing systems, ensures the database integrity by monitoring for accuracy and completeness, extracting and analyzing data in order to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management, quality assurance, oversees staff training and orientation, knowledge of the standard procedures, medical records, medical terminology, security of sensitive electronic files, process improvement gives guidance and initiates action as appropriate, and customer service.
  • Evaluates new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved operations, identifying educational or training needs, evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
  • The incumbent has full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the activities for the areas assigned.
  • Incumbent is responsible for the oversite of all staff assignment, review of staff work, productivity, and ensure that all staff are adhering to VHA directives, laws, and regulations that apply.
  • The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all assigned staff receive standards, one mid-year review and an end of year review.
FUNCTIONS;
a. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and customer service communication skills. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, co-workers and the public while working collaboratively with medical center programs, services, and multidisciplinary team members in providing needs.
b. Analytical reasoning and ability. Demonstrates a high degree of skill in analytical reasoning and ability. Identifies workload trends based on historical data and can forecast workload projections in order to develop schedules and coverage to ensuring optimal staffing is available to handle workload.
c. Proficiency in Computerized Programs. Utilizes computerized programs and databases to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive information and various data into or from electronic medical records, scheduling systems, and/or reporting formats. Maintains patient confidentiality with written and verbal information, per HIPAA requirements.
d. Applies Knowledge of Medical Terminology. In the particular outpatient area supported, demonstrates knowledge of the associated medical terminology to be able to communicate effectively with both professional and non-professional employees.
e. Operations. Oversees the daily operation of their assigned areas ensures that agency policies and priorities are being followed.
f. Conducts briefings/training. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
g. Works Independently. Works in a proficient and self-directed manner to accomplish a wide variety of tasks, to include setting priorities and coordinating work.
h. Human Resources. Works closely the with Lead MSA and Chief of Ambulatory Care & Processing to build and manage the workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded; takes action to address performance problems.
i. Fiscal. Identifies staffing and equipment needs to ensure that these needs are met, and the service can attain/maintain the desired service level. Serves as a leave approving official and certifies timecards.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: ADHOC ONLY
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:26760-F
VA Careers - Medical Support Assistant: https://youtube.com/embed/EE9c4XkaELo
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Qualifications & Requirements

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).

Experience and Education.
  • Experience. No experience required.
  • Education. High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education.
  • Documentation Requirements for Proof of High School Completion or higher:
    • If using post-high school education to substitute for experience at the GS-04 or GS-05, you must submit a copy of your unofficial or official college transcript with your application.
    • 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)
Certification. None required.
Grandfathering Provision - SEE UNDER EDUCATION SECTION
Foreign Education: SEE UNDER EDUCATION SECTION.
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
English Language Proficiency. MSAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS.
Creditable Experience. Knowledge of MSA Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current MSA responsibilities or an equivalent administrative patient support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MSA or an equivalent position in a non-VA hospital or clinic setting.
Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MSA experience or equivalent administrative clinical support role in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and a range of varieties as described in this standard, at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as an MSA or equivalent administrative patient support in a non-VA medical inpatient or outpatient setting is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, an MSA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Medical Support Assistant, GS-8

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level leading or supervising MSAs or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved clinic operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary, responsibility for planning and directing staff activities.

Assignment. Supervisory MSAs at this level plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics. They have full responsibility for supervising at least one subordinate MSA team leader, supervisor, or equivalent administrative patient support staff in a non-VA medical inpatient, outpatient, or interdisciplinary setting. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: evaluating the work of subordinate staff; resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met; evaluating new products, equipment, and systems to make recommendations for improved operations; identifying educational or training needs; making final decisions on hiring selections; evaluating performance, and taking disciplinary action when necessary. The employee has administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the subordinate lead, supervisor, and MSA's activities. Responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports to senior management in support of tracking measures. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
i. Ability to provide the full range of administrative and supervisory duties to at least one subordinate MSA supervisor or team leader in a patient support setting which includes assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards and/or advancements.
ii. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to ensure quality/continuity of care and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.
iii. Ability to provide briefings, orientations, staff development, and training in a patient support setting.
iv. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and identify budget needs.
v. Advanced knowledge of managing or leading patient support staff in a clinic. This includes independently utilizing reference sources, decision making, and empowering the team to collaborate and resolve problems within a complex systems environment.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Preferred Experience:
Customer Service, Medical Terminology

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements:
The majority of work is performed in an office setting, primarily while seated. The position requires some standing, ambulation, bending and carrying of items such as training manuals. In addition, there can be increased stress due to the intensity of a patient/customer complaint or concern.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Foreign Education.
To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

GRANDFATHERING PROVISION - CONTINUED FROM QUALFICATIONS SECTION.
All MSAs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, which are a part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was converted to Title 38 hybrid status under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Requirements

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • 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.

Evaluations

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.

Area of consideration: Eligible Candidates will be reviewed and referred in following order:
1. Current permanent employees of the VA Maryland Healthcare System
2. All other current permanent VA employees
3. Other current permanent federal employees

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.

RESUME REQUIREMENTS: Your resume must include the following information:
Job Title (for each position)
Description of duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2018 to April 2020) of employment
Full-time or part-time status (include average hours worked per week)

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
  • Resume/CV longer than 2 pages- UPLOAD ONLY RESUME HERE
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/21/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033475.
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
Source: Data sourced from USAJOBS