Embark on a Meaningful Public Service Career as a Contact Representative in Lawrence, Kansas

If you have been looking for an administrative role that blends customer service, clerical precision, and a noble mission, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has an exceptional entry-level opening. The Haskell Indian Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas, is actively seeking motivated, empathetic, and organized individuals to join their Patient Registration team as a Contact Representative (GS-0962-03/04).

This position provides a unique gateway into the federal civil service. Working within the Patient Registration section of the Business Office, you will act as the crucial first touchpoint for patients seeking medical care. Below, we provide a complete, comprehensive guide to the role, the organization, qualifications, compensation, and how you can submit a winning application.

About the Indian Health Service (IHS)

An agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Indian Health Service is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHS serves as the primary health care provider and advocate for Indian people, ensuring that comprehensive, culturally acceptable personal and public health services are available to over two million individuals across the country.

Employees at the Haskell Indian Health Center are part of an innovative, dynamic, and nationwide organization of dedicated medical and administrative providers. Operating with high compassion, creativity, and enthusiasm, the staff thrives in an adventurous, community-oriented environment focused on healthcare problem-solving. Joining this professional interdisciplinary team means committing yourself to improving overall health outcomes for tribal communities.

Job Responsibilities: Behind the Scenes of Healthcare Support

As a Contact Representative, your duties will lie at the intersection of public relations and strict clinical administration. A successful candidate will handle complex data management while keeping the patient’s clinical experience smooth and stress-free.

Key Daily Responsibilities:

Patient Interviews: Speak directly with patients to obtain highly confidential personal, demographic, and medical billing information during the registration process.
Form Completion Support: Guide patients carefully through the process of completing new or updated intake paperwork, ensuring all required fields are accurately filled.
Eligibility Verification: Check, cross-reference, and confirm health service eligibility for every individual seeking clinical care.
Alternate Resource Coordination: Manage, verify, and input critical insurance information, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private commercial insurance data. This directly influences the center's billing accuracy and financial sustainability.
Signature and Document Intake: Collect necessary legal signatures for purchased referred care files and alternate resources prior to clinical encounters.

Requirements & Qualifications for Candidates

To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate either the required clerical experience or qualifying college coursework. Let us break down the exact pathways to qualify for both the GS-03 and GS-04 levels.

General Experience vs. Education

General Experience: Defined as progressively responsible clerical, office, or administrative work. This experience must clearly prove your ability to learn the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of a Contact Representative.
Education: Coursework must have been completed at an accredited business school, technical school, junior college, or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Qualification Comparison Table

Grade Level	General Experience Required	Alternative Educational Path	Target Promotion Potential
GS-03	6 months of basic clerical, office, or administrative work.	1 year of academic study above the high school level.	GS-05
GS-04	1 full year of basic clerical, office, or administrative work.	2 years of academic study above the high school level.	GS-05

Note: A combination of qualifying education and experience can also be used to meet the minimum standards, provided the total percentage equals 100%.

Key Employment Conditions:

U.S. Citizenship: Required at the time of application.
Background Checks: Successful completion of a federal background investigation (Moderate Risk) and a comprehensive financial suitability check.
REAL ID Compliance: Candidates must provide two valid forms of identification prior to appointment. If a state-issued ID is utilized, it must meet modern REAL ID guidelines.
Child Contact Protection (PL 101-630): Because this position involves direct contact with children, applicants must pass a background check ensuring no historical guilt regarding crimes against children.

Comprehensive Salary and Compensation Breakdown

The position offers a competitive entry-level federal wage structured under the General Schedule (GS) system.

Salary Range: $36,464 to $48,107 per year
Rate Interval: Per Year (PA)
Promotion Potential: GS-05 level. Promotion to the next grade is at the discretion of management, dependent on your demonstrated capability, continuing clinical demand, and administrative approvals. Promotion is never automatically guaranteed, though it remains a structured, realistic goal.

Premier Federal Employee Benefits

Working for the federal government provides robust security, financial peace of mind, and an admirable work-life balance.

Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, offering excellent coverage options for individuals and families, alongside dental and vision packages.
Paid Time Off: Earn accrued annual leave and sick leave every pay period. Annual leave accrual rates start at 4 hours per pay period but can increase to 6 or 8 hours based on overall federal tenure.
Prior Experience Credit: New federal hires may receive credit toward their annual leave accrual rates based on prior, non-federal professional experience or active-duty uniform military service.
Bargaining Unit Coverage: This administrative role is covered by a labor bargaining unit, ensuring additional job security and structured workplace advocacy.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Applying for a federal job requires precision. Follow these steps to submit a high-quality application through USAJobs:

Prepare Your Profile: Log in to your USAJobs account (or create a new one via Login.gov). Ensure your profile information is correct.
Review the Questionnaire: View the vacancy questions ahead of time at the official questionnaire link to understand how your experience will be evaluated.
Build Your Resume: Draft a highly detailed federal resume. Ensure it lists your previous job titles, exact employment dates, and the average hours worked per week.
Upload Supporting Documents: Gather and attach your academic transcripts, DD-214 (for military veterans), and Form BIA-4432 (if claiming Indian Preference).
Complete the Application: Click 'Apply Online,' fill out the eligibility questions, link your uploaded resume and documents, and submit before the final closing date on September 11, 2026.

Crucial Application Tips from HR Experts

Detail Your Hours: The HR specialist screening your resume cannot guess your work history. If you worked part-time, write the exact hours (e.g., '20 hours/week'). If you worked full-time, state '40 hours/week.'
Accreditation Checks: If you are using college courses to qualify, double-check that your school is accredited. If you studied abroad, secure a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency beforehand.
Don't Exaggerate: The federal government conducts thorough reference, background, and credit checks. Be absolutely honest on your questionnaire; any inflation of skills will result in immediate disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I apply if I am currently a student?

Yes. If you have completed the equivalent of one or two years of post-secondary study, you can use your transcripts to qualify for the GS-03 or GS-04 level, even if you are still working toward a degree.

2. What is the deadline for this job posting?

All applications and supporting documents must be successfully received by USAJobs by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on September 11, 2026.

3. Will this job require me to travel?

No. Travel for this role is rated at 0%, meaning it is a stable, fully stationary position operating strictly within the Haskell Indian Health Center clinic.

4. What happens after I submit my application?

Your application package will be evaluated against the qualifications. If you are deemed qualified, your profile will be referred to the selecting official for potential interviews. You can track this progress on USAJobs and set up optional SMS/text alerts.

The Contact Representative position at the Haskell Indian Health Center is far more than a typical office job. It is a vital administrative role that keeps a critical health system operating smoothly, ensuring that Native American communities receive the compassionate care they deserve. With competitive federal pay, exceptional health benefits, and room for upward mobility, this position is the perfect starting line for your public service career. Ensure your documents are in order, pay close attention to detail, and submit your application today!

Why This Contact Representative Job Matters

Ready to launch a stable, community-centered federal career in healthcare administration? Join the Haskell Indian Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas, as a Contact Representative and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Contact Representative Job Overview

The Haskell Indian Health Center is searching for dedicated, service-oriented professionals to fill the role of Contact Representative (GS-03/04). Located in the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas, this position provides critical administrative and clerical support within the Patient Registration section of the Business Office. By serving as the primary point of contact for patient intake and eligibility verification, you will help secure essential healthcare access for Native American communities, with clear professional development pathways up to the GS-05 level.

Requirements for Contact Representative

Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
Subject to a federal background investigation (Moderate Risk) and suitability determination.
Must undergo a financial suitability review and demonstrate financial responsibility with creditors.
Must successfully pass the federal E-Verify employment verification system.
Subject to Public Law 101-630, which requires a clean record regarding contact or control over Indian children.
Required to establish direct deposit for payroll disbursements.
Must present two valid forms of identification, which must be REAL ID-compliant if state-issued.
May be subject to a probationary trial period (ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period).
Must meet all medical and immunization compliance policies of the local health facility.

Preferred Qualifications for Contact Representative

Prior clerical or receptionist experience within a busy hospital, medical practice, or dental clinic.
Familiarity with medical terminologies, health insurance plans, or Medicare/Medicaid qualification guidelines.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and with high empathy in cross-cultural environments.
Eligible for Indian Preference or Veterans' Preference to receive hiring advantages.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Accrual of federal annual leave and sick leave based on length of service.
✓Potential credit for previous non-federal or active-duty military experience to accelerate annual leave accrual rates.
✓Access to comprehensive federal health, dental, and vision insurance programs.
✓Participation in a bargaining-unit covered position, offering robust workplace protections.
✓Excellent promotional path with career potential reaching the GS-05 grade level.
✓Supportive, mission-driven team working within a modern healthcare facility.

💡 How to Apply Contact Representative Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Contact Representative Job

Go to USAJobs and read the full vacancy announcement details carefully.
Click the Apply Online button to be redirected to the secure Login.gov system.
Log in or create a new Login.gov account to access the federal application system.
Choose or create an updated federal resume using the USAJobs Resume Builder.
Upload all necessary supporting documents, such as official/unofficial transcripts, Form BIA-4432 (if claiming Indian Preference), or Form DD-214 (if claiming Veterans' Preference).
Complete the online questionnaire honestly, matching your resume’s factual details.
Review and submit your finished application package before the final deadline of September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

💡 General Tips

Be highly specific on your resume regarding your past job responsibilities, making sure to state the exact number of hours worked per week for every position.
If you are qualifying through education, upload clear transcripts showing your coursework, credit hours completed, and grades earned; unofficial versions are fully acceptable during the initial review.
Ensure your responses to the online assessment questions are fully supported by the specific text in your resume; discrepancies can lead to disqualification.
If claiming Indian Preference, ensure that your Form BIA-4432 is signed and dated by both you and an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official before uploading.
Do not delay submitting your background or financial forms. Upon receiving instructions, you must complete all security paperwork within five calendar days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary educational requirements for this role?

To qualify using education alone, you must have completed at least one year of post-high school education at an accredited institution for the GS-03 level, or two years for the GS-04 level.

Does this position offer telework or remote work options?

No, this position is fully on-site at the Haskell Indian Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas, due to the nature of patient-facing front-office administrative duties.

What is the promotion potential of this role?

While this position is hired at the GS-03 or GS-04 level, it features structured promotion potential up to the GS-05 grade level, subject to administrative approval and job performance.

Are there specific health or immunization requirements?

Yes. Because this role is situated within an active Indian Health Service clinic, selectees may be required to comply with employee health policies, which can include seasonal influenza vaccinations and screenings for Measles and Rubella.