Health Technician Urgent Care Clinic

Summary

This position will be assigned to work in the Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) at the VA Central Ohio Health Care System as a Health Care Technician (HT). The HTs at this grade level function as a member of the health care team and assist the clinical staff in the care of patients receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, and chronic care.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/27/2024 to 07/08/2024

• Salary

$45,988 - $59,799 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Columbus, OH 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

6

• Job family (Series)

0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR-12460587-24-JD

• Control number

797784000

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

Preferred Experience: Experience working in ER/Urgent Care.

The distinguishing factor is that patient assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

The HT at the GS6 level functions performs duties traditionally done by multiple staff in other services and sections. The HT at this level also assumes a mentor role to HTs at lower grade levels.

The primary purpose of this position is to aid in a technical, specialized, or support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis and/or treatment of patent illness or medical conditions.

Supports medical and health care professional in tests and procedures to diagnose/treat medical conditions. Performs technical work in support of diagnostic tests and procedures. Supports health and medical sta? in daily operations of the Urgent Care Clinic to maintain ?ow and operations.

Will support veteran needs through laboratory and specimen collection as ordered.

The Health Technician reports directly to the Urgent Care Clinic Assistant Nurse Manager and Nurse Manager.

Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Maintains BLS certification and completes vocational trainings as assigned.

• Recognizes any potential emergent situation, responds appropriately by seeking assistance, and assists as necessary.

• Accurately measures and records vital signs in the electronic health records.

• Provides direct care to patients with complex illnesses.

• Makes observations of subtle changes in patient condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the HT assigned role

• Communicates with patients/families/visitors in a courteous, thoughtful, and caring manner while delivering patient care.

• Demonstrates a sincere desire to help, recognizes he/she is often the individuals first contact with the VA health care system.

• Anticipates and recognizes the patient's psychological response to illness and uses appropriate opportunities to interact in a therapeutic manner.

• Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy.

• Assists the Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in transporting the patients to diagnostic testing, pharmacy or other areas in the facility as delegated.

• Rooms patients in a timely and efficient manner using correct patient identifiers.

• Performs Specimen collection (urine, stool, venipuncture, and nasal or throat swabs for URI screening).

• Performs Blood Glucose sticks, reports abnormal results according to policy, and performs quality controls per policy.

• Transports specimens to the lab as required.

• Performs EKGs and initiates telemetry monitoring as ordered.

• Performs select treatments and procedures as ordered such as: ear irrigation, simple dressing change, etc.

• Answers phone calls and relays messages appropriately.

• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury.

• Utilizes the Cerner/FirstNet computer to retrieve and input pertinent patient/clinical information.

• Provides 1:1 monitoring of patients requiring constant observation due to increased risk of suicide.

• Assists the patient, as appropriate, with activities essential to daily living,

• Identifies and incorporates age-specific considerations in all patient contacts for which providing care at any given time.

• Follows Health Care System standards and procedures for infection control.

• Knowledge of patient's rights, Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations

• Other duties as assigned, related to position, with appropriate instructions and supervision.

• Participates as a member of the stat page/ rapid response team.

• Serves as preceptor/mentor for less experienced HTs'.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: Not a virtual position.

Functional Statement Title: Health Technician Urgent Care Clinic/CBSR-12460587-24-JD.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

• You may be required to serve a probationary period

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2024

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

GS-06 Specialized experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Provides guidance and support to all professional staff in surgery, possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combines the knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures and implementation of tools and technologies and possess a full knowledge of ambulatory procedures to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures and knowledge of GI anatomy to care for patients in all specialties including gastrointestinal procedures.

OR,

Education: Health Aid and Technician Series 0640 Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.

Successfully completed one full (1) year of graduate level education or an internship that is directly related to the work of the position. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

OR,

Have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience to meet total qualification requirements. Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required.

Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in heavy lifting and positioning of patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, prolonged standing in and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon or specialty provider. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons or specialty provider without compromising principles of aseptic and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon or specialty provider.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

"VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.