Job Information
Indian Health Service Medical Support Assistant (Patient Registration) in Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Summary This position serves as a Medical Support Assistant within the Patient Registration Section of the Business Office at the Pine Ridge Service Unit located in Pine Ridge, SD. The incumbent will provide registration and eligibility services for patients seeking health care. This position reports to the supervisor of the department. Responsibilities Maintains patient confidentiality. Determines the eligibility of patients seeking health care. Obtains and verifies the health records and information for the RPMS Patient Registration System for Medicaid, Medicare, and Private/Commercial Insurance eligibility information for all patients prior to clinic visits. Initiates and carries out a variety of clerical duties associated with the treatment of patients. Enters and verifies data entry within electronic health systems. 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 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. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. On-call, weekends, holidays or rotating shifts will be required. 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 This position is being re-advertised in order to solicit additional applications. Applicants who previously applied need not reapply unless you would like to update your application. 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: Your resume must demonstrate the following education and/or experience as outlined below for the grade level(s) you are applying to. Any specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the tasks as identified. GS-04: One (1) year of General Experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Or two (2) 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 position. GS-05: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: determining eligibility requirements, and obtaining and processing demographic and insurance information for patient registration, alternate resources, contract health services or related purposes; interviews patients to obtain pertinent registration information; maintaining an appointment system by computer and/or appointment book; assisting staff in preparing patient transfer paperwork. Or four (4) years of education above high school. Or a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. GS-06: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: determines the eligibility of patient seeking healthcare; assisting patient in competing new or updated forms; obtaining and verifying health records; assisting with making appointments for patients with all providers. 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 You may qualify for this position with education. 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 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.