Medical Support Assistant (Office Automation)

About the Position: This position is located in Tacoma, Washington.

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.
Advanced in hire may be authorized.
Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.


This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

Perform receptionist and clerical functions in an ambulatory clinic, including data entry, appointment scheduling, and coordination with specialty services. | Complete patient order forms, lab requests, and other administrative documentation. | Verify patient eligibility and provides information on clinic and hospital policies and procedures. | Communicate appointment delays and resolves routine administrative concerns. | Support in-processing and out-processing of outpatients, families, and caregivers. | Respond to emergency calls, follows communication protocols, and operates emergency systems. | Relay essential information to emergency medical personnel and communicates clearly during emergency operations.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

NOTE: This is a developmental position. Management is selecting this position at the GS-04 or GS-05 grade levels. If selected at the GS-04 grade level the incumbent maybe non-competitively be promoted to the target grade level GS-05.

To qualify for the GS-04:

General Experience: One year of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates my ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled, such as, performing receptionist and clerical duties, including greeting visitors, answering and directing phone calls, organizing and maintaining basic files, and using office automation systems to support daily administrative operations.

OR

Education: Two years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of by 60. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for the GS-05:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing clerical support in a medical clinic, such as greeting patients, assisting customers with basic inquiries, scheduling and coordinating appointments, maintaining electronic and paper medical records and utilizing an automated software system. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.

Proficiency Required: This position requires a qualified typist. A qualified typist can type 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. | The positions require rotating shifts, meaning employees may work mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays depending on operational needs. This is common in 24/7 medical environments. | This position has been designated "Mission Essential". | In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.