Medical Support Assistant (Patient Registration)

Indian Health Service • Lame Deer, MT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Indian Health Service, Northern Cheyenne Service Unit, in Lame Deer, Montana. The Medical Support Assistant provides comprehensive clerical and administrative support to patients and health care staff and reports to the Supervisory Health System Specialist. The position supports patient registration and clinic operations, including processing patient information, coordinating clinical administrative workflows, maintaining records, and assisting with billing and patient communications.

The role is covered by a bargaining unit and has promotion potential to GS-6. Promotion is not guaranteed and is at management’s discretion. Weekends and rotating shifts may be required. Employees working in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, subject to any available exemption process. A REAL ID-compliant document will be required when applicable beginning May 7, 2025.

Requirements

• For GS-05, demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level providing healthcare-clinic front-office and administrative support, or four years of education above high school, or a qualifying combination of education and experience. Specialized experience includes assisting patients, scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, verifying patient and insurance information, coordinating referrals and follow-up care, processing administrative documents, updating electronic health records, supporting HIPAA compliance, and providing customer service.
• For GS-06, demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level independently performing patient registration; verifying demographic, eligibility, and insurance information; maintaining and correcting information in electronic health records or related systems; coordinating appointments and follow-up care; maintaining patient-care documentation; resolving routine processing discrepancies; and communicating with patients, families, clinical staff, and administrative staff.
• Clearly identify duties and responsibilities for each position held and the total number of hours worked per week in the resume.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Competitive-service merit promotion candidates must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; time-in-grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and a federal background investigation; complete required background-investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Meet the position’s financial suitability requirements, including demonstrating financial responsibility and satisfying legal financial obligations.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver’s license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Set up direct deposit.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy when duties require work in an IHS healthcare facility, subject to any applicable exemption process.
• Applicants using education in place of experience must provide transcripts or course information; official transcripts are required from selectees. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• The position involves contact or control over Indian children and is subject to the criminal-history requirements under Public Law 101-630.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients or their representatives to obtain registration information, including demographic and insurance information.
• Process consultations, orders, referrals, and authorizations to support clinical care.
• Prepare, organize, and file electronic and paper medical records.
• Assist with third-party billing, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.
• Answer telephone calls, schedule appointments, take messages, and resolve routine problems or complaints using clinic procedures; refer complex issues to appropriate departments.

Benefits

• IHS total compensation package is referenced; details are provided through an external compensation resource.
• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, depending on federal service.
• IHS may credit newly appointed federal employees for directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed