Contact Representative (Benefits)

Join the Indian Health Service as a Contact Representative (Benefits) and make an impact. In this role, you will identify patients eligible for alternate health coverage, assist with enrollment, and advocate to ensure they effectively use available benefits. This position focuses on improving patient access to healthcare resources and supporting overall community well-being. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

Duties

There MAY NOT be immediate vacancies at all locations.

Alternate Resources

• Provides guidance and serves as an advocate for patients in the effective utilization of alternate resources and the eligibility process for Medicare, Medicaid, Department of Veteran Affairs, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Employment Compensation, Third Party Liability, Worker's Compensation, Children Special Health Services and Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).
• Provides information on rights and benefits of multiple alternate resources, advises of patient of nonpayment or denial of claims, serves as advocate intervening of patient's behalf.
• Identifies and follow-up on pending application, works with families and agencies, ensures timely entry of multiple alternate resources to augment outpatient and inpatient billing efforts.
• Assists and work closely with all sections related to patient registration, billing, collections and accounts receivable, and health providers in identification, eligibility and utilization of all alternate resources that are available to the native population served. Provides and maintains communication with all parties involved.

Medicare/Medicaid

• Assists patients, family members, and all other parties involved in initiating and completing the Medicare and Medicaid applications. Interprets rules and regulations on usage of the eligibility coverage. Interviews all patients eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits to ensure they understand their fair entitlement in non-IHS and IHS facilities.
• Works with various aid programs and other disciplines that may assist in developing registers of eligible patients through their current activities related in determining the health status of the elderly. Assists the elderlies and their families with application for alternate resources and interprets rules and regulations for Medicare and Medicaid third party coverage.
• Coordinates with local, community, county, tribal affiliates and agencies to establish eligibility or provide accurate referrals in establishing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, food aid assistance, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Assists with completing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability enrollment process. Helps patients and/or families in completing the required forms. Provides and independently initiates a progressive review of the disability process with the Social Security Administration and the State Developmental and Disability programs.

Salary

• $55,882 - $72,644/year

Conditions of Employment

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

IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.

On-call hours or standby duty may 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 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 individual's 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.

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:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Knowledge direct care services regulations, policies and procedures including regulations of the Direct and Purchased Referred Care patient care system; eligibility requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Administration, County DHS offices, Tribal programs and alternate funding and resources. Provided guidance and served as an advocate for patients in the effective utilization resources and the eligibility process. Identify, assist, follow-up patients on pending applications, ensures entry of multiple alternate resources to augment outpatient and inpatient billing efforts, works closed with other involved parties.

Education: Generally not applicable.

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 by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

Education There are no education requirements. Other Information This is an Open Continuous Announcement. There MAY NOT be immediate vacancies at all locations. You will be limited to selecting no more than 5 locations during the application process, and will only be considered for the locations you select. Eligible applicants will be referred out as vacancies occur. 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. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A service agreement will be required. This position has no known promotion potential. 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. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot). Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). The first cutoff date will be Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Future cutoff dates will be each Friday thereafter at 11:59 pm EST until the closing date. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) of the cut-off date/day listed. Required Documents

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.

Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:

• Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/media_document/1076-0160_indian-pref_expires-04.30.25_508.pdf. When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
• Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov.
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
• Current or former Federal employee: Include your most recent SF-50 or if Reinstatement eligible include your Career SF-50.
• Noncompetitive eligibles: Submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy.
• Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
• Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.

You must complete the application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) of the cut-off date/day listed.

Your application will remain active for 90 days from the submission of application.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.

1. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
2. You will be directed to the Login.Gov screen, here will you sign in if you have an existing USAJOBS account or Create a Login.Gov account.
3. If you have an account you will be directed to select a resume or create a resume. If you create an account you can create an resume. Click save and continue.
4. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or supporting documents.
5. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJOBS or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
6. Read and complete all Eligibility questions.
7. Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. IHS is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.
Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume:

• Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
• Use concise, results focused language
• Align language from the job announcement
• Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
• Remove outdated or unrelated experience
• Use the USAJOBS resume builder

For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/index.cfm?module=search&option=faq.

The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.