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Medical Support Assistant

Indian Health Service · Department of Health and Human Services

PermanentFull-timeSecurity clearance required
Salary
$36,464 – $51,002/yr
Pay grade
GS 3–4
Openings
4
Posted
Nov 4, 2026
Closes
Closes in 56 days

Summary

Serves as a Medical Support Assistant, providing a variety of duties associated with patient care and treatment in several outpatient clinics and medical facilities by coordinating clinic activities and ensuring the smooth operation of daily services. These Medical Support Assistant positions are located at multiple Indian Health Service (IHS) healthcare facilities across various locations.

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

Duties

All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations.

  • Receives and greets patients and visitors; provides general information and assistance.
  • Checks patients in and out of the clinic; verifies patient demographics and updates records as needed.

  • Schedules, reschedules, and cancels patient appointments using an electronic health record or scheduling system.

  • Answers telephones; routes calls; takes messages; and provides routine appointment and clinic information.

  • Maintains and files medical records and forms in accordance with privacy and confidentiality requirements.

  • Assists with basic clinic administrative tasks, such as preparing charts, scanning documents, and data entry.
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Medical Support Assistant Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

Requirements (continued):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.

Qualifications

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:

GS-3:
Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-3 level.
OR

One (1) year above high school.

OR

A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

GS-4: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-4 level.

OR 2 years above high school.

OR

A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Combining Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at grades GS-5 and below

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 by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

The first cutoff date will be November 13, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Future cutoff dates will be each Friday thereafter at 11:59 pm EST until the closing date. Your application will remain active for 90 days from the submission of application.

Education

There are no education requirements. 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/.

Requirements

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

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

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/.

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

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).

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Source: USAJOBS / U.S. Office of Personnel Management. HealthJobsFinderUSA is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.