Transportation Assistant
: Job Details :

Summary The primary purpose of the position is to perform duties as a Transportation Assistant, with overall responsibilities of the planning, coordination, implementation, management, and evaluation of clinical applications of patient transportation with particular emphasis on improving care and safety of veterans. The incumbent is knowledgeable of overall facility and network goals, missions, and priorities to ensure that patient transportation supports other programs. Responsibilities ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Reviews and processes Beneficiary Travel claims to reimburse Veterans for travel to and from VA medical appointments; Reviews eligibility of each Veteran before finalizing Beneficiary Travel reimbursements; Attends to all details of voucher processing to prevent the processing of fraudulent claims; Researches payments for reimbursement when requested by Veterans, Supervisor, or the Mobility Manager and coordinates with the Fiscal office when required; Prepares data processing reports and audits Beneficiary Travel vouchers daily batch for errors; Transfers Beneficiary Travel voucher daily batch to Fiscal office; Compiles and submits daily clerk report summarizing all vouchers processed, phone calls, and customer service interactions; Arranges all modes of transportation via air ambulance, commercial air, taxi, ambulance, bus, and/or contracted transport services; Prepares appropriate documentation and/or scheduling for traveler according to government rates or substantial rates; Makes special arrangements per physician documentation according to traveler's medical condition and/or preference; Secures reservations and tickets from carriers; Forwards correspondence to receiving facility travel department and/or physician via itinerary or stated preferences with destination and time; Maintains communications with receiving facilities regarding beneficiaries return travel arrangements; Writes or selects appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims; Explains regulations and guidelines to beneficiaries for submitting any unauthorized ambulance claims to the VA Medical Center for consideration of payment; Documents and prepares statistical ambulance reports to supervisor upon request for fiscal year budget; Processes receipts and withdrawals for Patient Funds in Veterans Personal Finance System; Corrects discrepancies between Veterans Personal Finance System and Financial Management System balances; Ensures balances of discharged patients are returned appropriately; Schedules and reserves tickets for eligible patients requiring airline transportation; Receives invoices for payment of transportation services; Investigates authorizations, orders, and/or utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to review medical records, forwards for clinician review and supervisory approval and submits all documents for payment utilizing appropriate control point for reference; Acts as liaison between vendors and FMS for invoices pending payment; Ensures that all appropriate VA forms are used correctly, and that regulations are followed; Performs related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Required Documents below for details. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-06: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: working as an administrative assistant or support assistant in a clinic or office; and providing professional customer service to customers. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: 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: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.