Overview

Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy Experience: None Education: High school diploma, General Education Development equivalency certificate, or proficiency certificate from a State or territorial-level Board or Department of Education English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grandfathering Provision Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement effective February 5, 2026 of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification where applicable For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: 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 Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates: Medical Support Assistant, GS-3 Experience or Education None beyond the basic requirements Medical Support Assistant, GS-4 Experience One year of experience equivalent to the GS-3 level (Applying general rules and policies relating to clinic functions, staff, and automated data processing methods in support of treatment to patients utilize a variety of patient data systems in scheduling patients for treatment and annotate patient records perform front desk duties, receive telephone call, and visitors to the unit make and cancel appointments, review patient records for necessary information, and review patient demographics and insurance verification consult with clinic staff when processing physician scheduling and administrative orders.) OR Education One year of education above high school AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 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 Medical Support Assistant, GS-5 Experience One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 level (Scheduling and re