Medical Support Assistant
Phoenix, AZ - USA
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide frontline service manage appointment and pharmacy systems direct patient care and perform receptionist duties for the pharmacy department.
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 IHSs outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Medical Support Assistant Total Compensation Pay ()
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 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 individuals 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.
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-05: Four (4) years of education above high school or One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level.
Examples of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level
- Deliver front-line customer service in a pharmacy setting by assisting patients in person and via telephone.
- Manage prescription status inquiries schedule appointments and maintain accurate patient demographic information within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to support efficient clinical operations.
GS-06: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
Examples of specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level
- Utilize electronic health record (EHR) and pharmacy automation systems to verify patient information document clinical encounters process prescription requests and monitor workflow queues that support pharmacy operations.
- Resolve inquiries regarding prescription processing appointment scheduling pharmacy services and referral status.
NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable.
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: 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
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( 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.
A recruitment incentive may be authorized. At least a one-year service agreement will be required.
This position has promotion potential to the GS-06 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at managements 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.
You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Required Experience:
Junior IC