Lead Medical Support Assistant Opportunity at Fort Drum: Join the Defense Health Agency

Are you an organized, team-oriented healthcare administrative professional looking to make a meaningful impact in civil service? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has announced an opening for a Lead Medical Support Assistant (GS-06) at Guthrie Army Health Clinics, situated on the military installation at Fort Drum, New York. Positioned within the Department of Resource Management's Patient Appointment System, this role serves as a foundational pillar for clinical access, team coordination, and high-quality patient services.

Working within the military healthcare system offers healthcare workers a stable, fulfilling career path. As a Lead Medical Support Assistant, you won't just perform daily administrative tasks—you will lead team members, balance clinic workflows, ensure proper patient eligibility, and help service members and their families navigate their healthcare benefits.

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About the Agency: Defense Health Agency (DHA)

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated combat support agency that enables the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and a ready medical force to Combatant Commands worldwide. DHA manages a vast health delivery network serving over 9.5 million beneficiaries, including active-duty service members, military retirees, and their families.

Located at Fort Drum, New York, the Guthrie Army Health Clinics operate as part of this comprehensive system. The Patient Appointment System and Centralized Call Center rely on dedicated civilian staff to maintain efficient operations, ensure patient satisfaction, and maintain seamless administrative operations across clinical units.

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Key Job Responsibilities

As a Lead Medical Support Assistant, your primary mandate is to lead day-to-day administrative activities while managing complex patient scheduling processes. You will serve as the first point of contact for routine clinical operations and administrative problem resolution.

Primary Duties Include:

• DEERS Verification & Patient Eligibility: Confirming enrollee data accuracy within the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and secondary clinical data systems.
• Patient Guidance: Advising eligible beneficiaries on available medical services, access procedures, and clinic protocols.
• Network Care Authorizations: Requesting external care network authorizations for patients when clinic appointments are unavailable internally.
• Workload & Team Leadership: Distributing and balancing administrative workloads among team members, providing input for informal staff evaluations, and training new personnel.
• EHR & Consultation Processing: Initiating and managing telephone consults within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in full compliance with clinical standards.
• Referral Reviews: Assisting in processing and auditing specialty clinic referrals generated within Guthrie Army Health Clinics.
• Workplace Environment Management: Monitoring environmental conditions (lighting, seating, ventilation, safety) and escalating unaddressed issues to supervisors.
• Complaint Resolution: Resolving minor patient complaints at the clinic level and escalating sensitive concerns promptly.

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Job Qualifications and Requirements

To be considered qualified for this GS-06 position, candidates must meet clear federal standards. Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience for this specific role.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen.
• Experience: Minimum of one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in federal service.
• Required Skills Demonstrated: Experience must reflect proficiency in clinical customer service, appointment scheduling, electronic health record management, referral processing, staff instruction, and administrative workload distribution.
• Probationary Period: Must complete a 1-year initial federal probationary period upon entry on duty.
• Selective Service: Male applicants born after Dec 31, 1959, must be registered for the Selective Service.

Summary of Position Requirements

Feature	Requirement / Detail
Position Title	Lead Medical Support Assistant
Pay Plan & Grade	GS-06
Salary Range	$45,409 – $59,031 / Year
Location	Guthrie Army Health Clinics, Fort Drum, NY
Work Schedule	Full-Time, Permanent
Telework / Remote	Not Eligible (100% On-Site)
Education Substitution	Not Allowed (Experience Only)
Resume Length Limit	Strict 2-Page Maximum
Relocation Expenses (PCS)	Not Authorized

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Salary & Federal Benefits Overview

The annual pay scale for this GS-06 position ranges from $45,409 to $59,031, which includes applicable locality pay for the Fort Drum area. Applicants entering federal service for the first time may have opportunities to negotiate salary rates based on superior qualifications.

In addition to stable compensation, federal civilian positions provide an industry-leading benefits package:

1. Health Insurance (FEHB): Select from a wide variety of fee-for-service, HMO, and high-deductible health plans with major government premium contributions.
2. Retirement System (FERS): A three-tiered retirement model consisting of a basic benefit pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan.
3. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Government matching up to 5% of your contributions, similar to a civilian 401(k).
4. Paid Leave: Earn up to 13 days of paid annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and enjoy 11 paid federal holidays each year.
5. Dental & Vision (FEDVIP): Optional supplemental insurance plans available at competitive group rates.

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Proven Application Strategy & Resume Tips

Applying for federal jobs requires precision. Follow these steps to ensure your application package passes human resources screening:

1. Observe the strict 2-Page Resume Limit

Your application will be removed from consideration if your resume exceeds two pages. Keep descriptions clear, concise, and direct.

2. Match the Specialized Experience Keywords

Ensure your resume explicitly details your experience with:

• Managing scheduling portals and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.
• Verifying beneficiary data in DEERS or clinical databases.
• Balancing administrative team workloads and mentoring clinic staff.
• Handling customer inquiries and patient consults in clinical environments.

3. Detail Mandatory Employment Information

For every position listed on your resume, include:

• Exact job title and employer name.
• Start and end dates (Format: MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY).
• Average hours worked per week (e.g., 40 hours/week).
• Concise bullet points detailing relevant duties.

4. Remove Sensitive Personal Information

If attaching military orders, discharge papers, or certificates, sanitize personal information regarding third parties (such as family member details) before submission.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I submit my application?

Applications are submitted online through USAJobs. Click the apply button on the announcement to be redirected to the USA Staffing system, where you will complete an occupational questionnaire and upload your resume and supporting documents.

Q: Can I qualify using a bachelor's degree?

No. This GS-06 Lead Medical Support Assistant position requires one year of specialized administrative clinical experience. Educational background alone cannot be used to qualify.

Q: Can I work remotely from home?

No. This position requires daily on-site presence at Guthrie Army Health Clinics, Fort Drum, NY, to support patient services and team coordination.

Q: When does the job announcement close?

Applications close on October 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Early submission is strongly encouraged to resolve any technical issues prior to the deadline.

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Serving as a Lead Medical Support Assistant with the Defense Health Agency at Fort Drum offers a unique combination of administrative leadership, career stability, and high-impact community service. If you possess a solid background in medical scheduling, health record oversight, and administrative coordination, take advantage of this opportunity to elevate your healthcare career within the federal civil service.