Job Information
Indian Health Service Medical Support Assistant in Lower Brule, South Dakota
Summary This position is located in the Patient Registration department under the direct supervision of the Business Office Supervisory and/or the Director of the Office of Managed Care of the Lower Brule Healthcare Center, Indian Health Service. The purpose of this position is to provide technical support to the Service Unit Patient Registration department in order to promote and maintain the efficient functioning of the department. Responsibilities Interviews patient to obtain pertinent patient registration information. Determines the eligibility of patients seeking health care, who have not previously been treated at the facility by obtaining the certificate of Indian Blood or other documentary proof of Tribal membership, according to IHS guidelines. Collects third party recipient health cards, obtains photocopies of the card and explains the program to the beneficiaries. Upon direction, or as the need arises, initiates all admitting forms to complete the admission with current patient data, including the RPMS Patient Registration System Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial 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 COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. 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. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. 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: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. 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: For the GS-03 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least Six 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 year 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, combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify an applicant for the GS-3 level. For the GS-04 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least One 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 04 level, -or- Two 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 this position. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify an applicant for the GS 04 level. For the GS-05 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized Experience: collecting third party insurances and Medicaid information; maintaining referral logs on all referrals and reports; greeting patients on the telephone and in person, assessing the patient's need for routine, urgent or emergent care and taking appropriate action; maintaining orders pertaining to laboratory and medical referrals. -or-Four years of education above the high school level, or, Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5 grade level. For the GS-06 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized Experience: interview and update pertinent patient information; make appointments for multiple providers; key updated information into patient files. 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. Education This position has an education requirement. 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/. Additional Information Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed. Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. 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. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/. This position has promotion potential to the GS-06 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.