Medical Support Assistant

Indian Health Service • Fort Thompson, SD

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Fort Thompson Indian Health Service in Fort Thompson, South Dakota. The Medical Support Assistant manages the appointment system, serves as a receptionist, and performs clerical duties to provide efficient services to clients, visitors, and healthcare providers under the direction of the Director of Nursing. The position maintains schedules for routine and specialty clinics and medical providers, performs office tasks using computers and computerized systems, and protects confidential medical information in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974. A REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification document or driver's license will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

The role requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level, including experience assisting with appointment scheduling, supporting physicians or nurses in examination rooms, maintaining supplies and cleaning equipment, meeting deadlines with management, and performing clerical work such as typing and mailing letters. The position requires a federal background investigation and financial suitability review. Because the position involves contact or control over Indian children, it is covered by Public Law 101-630 and applicable criminal-history screening requirements.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in federal service, gained in the private or public sector, performing relevant duties.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy for vaccine-preventable diseases when duties require work in an IHS healthcare facility; exemption requests may be available under policy and facility guidance.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must establish direct deposit.
• Must successfully complete a federal background investigation and submit required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance of instructions.
• Must meet the financial suitability requirement, including demonstrating financial responsibility and satisfying legal financial obligations.
• Must present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Must satisfy applicable criminal-history screening requirements for a position involving contact or control over Indian children under Public Law 101-630.
• Merit Promotion candidates in the competitive service must have completed one year at the next lower grade level; this Time-In-Grade requirement does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• If substituting education for experience, provide qualifying education documentation; only education from appropriately accredited institutions is creditable, and foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• A selectee may be subject to a probationary period; ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period.
• Must sign a service agreement.
• The position has no promotion potential.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative and clerical office functions under the direction of the Director of Nursing.
• Maintain the appointment system and organize appointments to reflect routine clinics, specialty clinics, and medical provider schedules accurately.
• Serve as a receptionist and assist clients, visitors, and healthcare providers.
• Perform clerical tasks, including typing, filing, and operating computers and computerized systems.
• Maintain record confidentiality and safeguard medical information in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
• As qualifying experience, assist with appointment scheduling; assist physicians or nurses in examination rooms; help maintain supplies and clean equipment; work with management to meet deadlines; and assist with clerical duties such as typing and mailing letters.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, depending on federal service years.
• 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.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• The posting refers applicants to the IHS total compensation package and benefits information.

What This Job Offers

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