Health Technician (Medical Assistant)

The positions are located at various Indian Health Services throughout Montana. The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct patient care and clinical support services by performing patient care activities, assisting with clinical services under appropriate supervision, and supporting the safe and efficient delivery of healthcare services in clinical, nursing, and community-based settings.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Performs patient intake, screening, and data collection activities by obtaining and documenting patient information, observations, and measurements in accordance with established policies, delegated authority, and required levels of supervision.
• Assists healthcare providers and nursing staff with patient care activities and clinical procedures under the supervision required by law and facility protocol.
• Monitors patients before, during, and after care or treatment, identifies changes in condition or reactions requiring attention, and promptly reports observations to appropriate healthcare personnel.
• Participates in emergency response activities by following established procedures, assisting staff, and supporting patient stabilization efforts under appropriate supervision.
• Transports patients, specimens, supplies, and equipment and maintains patient care areas in accordance with infection control, safety, and environmental standards.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.

GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position
OR
Your resume must demonstrate at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: performing direct patient care and clinical support duties in an outpatient, urgent care, ambulatory care, or similar healthcare setting, such as obtaining and documenting patient histories, chief complaints, vital signs, pain assessments, medication reviews, and other age-specific screening information; recognizing and reporting abnormal patient findings or changes in condition; preparing and positioning patients and assisting healthcare providers with examinations and procedures; collecting, labeling, processing, and preparing laboratory specimens; performing venipuncture/phlebotomy and point-of-care testing; performing basic wound and skin care, dressing changes, and other routine treatments; operating clinical equipment such as electrocardiographs, glucometers, and nebulizers; reinforcing patient education and self-management instructions; documenting patient care in an electronic health record; and assisting with emergency procedures within established protocols and scope of practice.
OR
Have a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-05 grade level.

GS-6: Your resume must demonstrate at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: performing progressively responsible and comprehensive Medical Assistant clinical duties in an outpatient, urgent care, ambulatory care, or similar healthcare setting, such as conducting focused patient assessments and prioritizing care based on patient condition; recognizing and responding to normal and abnormal findings and urgent or emergent changes in patient condition; performing venipuncture/phlebotomy and collecting, processing, and evaluating laboratory specimens; performing waived and point-of-care testing and quality control procedures; interpreting test results sufficiently to recognize deviations from expected findings and reporting abnormalities to the appropriate healthcare provider; performing wound and skin care; assisting with inhalation therapy and performing spirometry or pulmonary function testing; operating and monitoring specialized clinical equipment such as AEDs and electrocardiographs; independently applying orthopedic soft goods and splints; performing suture/staple and cast removal; and administering oral medications and subcutaneous or intramuscular injections within established protocols, scope of practice, and required clinical supervision. May also include coordinating clinical workflow and adjusting activities in response to patient acuity, workload, and changing priorities; reinforcing patient and family education regarding disease management and self-care; participating in quality improvement and infection-control activities; maintaining clinical equipment and supplies; and providing guidance, mentoring, or orientation to lower-graded Medical Assistants or Health Technicians.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: Selective factors are knowledge, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.

APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT MEET THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE FACTORS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION: A current and active Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) of the American Medical Technologist (AMT) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

If you are substituting education for experience; You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. May or may not be available at all locations.