Medical Support Assistant

This full performance level position provides comprehensive performance administrative and clerical support to departmental operations, patients, and healthcare staff. This position is located within the Indian Health Service, Chinle Service Unit, Outpatient and Inpatient Nursing Units, Division of Nursing Services.

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

• Greet and assist patients, families, and visitors; provide information regarding hospital services, appointments, and procedures; direct patients to the appropriate clinics, nursing units, or departments; and respond to general inquiries in a courteous and professional manner.
• Register patients, verify and update demographic information, schedule, reschedule, and cancel outpatient appointments, and coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges in collaboration with the nursing staff and concerned departments.
• Prepare, organize, update, file, scan, and maintain patient charts and medical records; ensure accurate encoding of information in the electronic medical records system; maintain inpatient census, appointment logs, and other nursing unit documentation; and safeguard confidential patient information.
• Answer and direct telephone calls, receive and relay messages, coordinate communication between nurses, physicians, patients, and other hospital departments, and promptly refer patient concerns or urgent requests to the appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide general secretarial and clerical assistance to the outpatient clinics and inpatient nursing units, including preparation of reports, correspondence, forms, census records, photocopying, filing, and other administrative documents required for daily operations.
• Facilitate patient referrals, laboratory and diagnostic appointments, patient transport, and other hospital services; assist in processing admission and discharge documentation; and monitor patient flow to promote timely and efficient delivery of healthcare services.
• Maintain an organized and orderly nursing station and work area, monitor and replenish office supplies and forms, observe hospital policies and procedures, uphold patient confidentiality and data privacy, comply with applicable infection prevention and control guidelines, and perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

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: 6 months of general experience and/or 1 year above high school.

GS-04: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-04 level.
OR
Two (2) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial, or technical school, junior college, college, or university.
OR
A combination of education and experience that, when combined, fully meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-04.

GS-05: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (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: Assist patients with making appointments, interview patients to gather information, enter patient data into an electronic health record, assist patients in completing forms, review documents for accuracy, explain processes and policies to patients, initiate health records and admission forms.
OR
Four (4) years of education above the high school level.
OR
A combination of education and experience that, when combined, fully meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-05.

GS-06: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (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: knowledge of the appointment system, ability to coordinate patient care based on medical provider referral for purchased referred care services, assist with completion of admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients.

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/.


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).

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.