This developmental position, located in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) La Jolla Outpatient Specialty Clinics, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) and reports to the Rehab Program Manager for the PMRS Specialty Clinics. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, non-citizen personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405, without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. English Language Proficiency. A candidate will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: - For GS-05 Position: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: The incumbent serves in a developmental capacity at the GS-05 level. Key functions will be likethose described at the full performance level of the target position. However, during the developmental assignment, full performance range and level of selected functions will not be completely delegated to the employee until proper orientation and training have been completed and the incumbent has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to accomplish the work at the full performance level. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-05 grade level you must have 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. OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. For GS-06 Position: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Receives request or instructions for procedures or other clinical support. Procedure interpretation or instructions will be received from the provider. Interpretation and verification ofphysician/provider orders will be carried out under the direct supervision of the physician/provider. Demonstrates cooperative nature with others while responding to the needs of the patient. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Infection Control Manages Resources Patient Care To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. There is no educational substitution for the GS-XX level. 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 incumbent prepares rooms preceding for each case as determined by the daily schedule and procedure requirements. He/she prepares all necessary equipment/supplies for injection procedures and sanitizing the room and the ultrasound machine prior to procedures; set-up of the ultrasound machine; ensures all necessary equipment and supplies for injection procedures are arranged and makes recommendations for new equipment or supplies to other medical personnel. Also, advises other medical personnel on new equipment or supplies. Upon patient arrival, the incumbent secures the confidence and cooperation of patients. Provide basic explanation and purpose of encounter or procedure; prepares the patients for the consult encounter or procedure. He/she documents patient's arrival time, verifies patient's name, companion, and type of procedure. The HT assists with cases, positions of the patient, and assists providers with providing assistance during ultrasound guided injections and other musculoskeletal injection procedures and patient encounters including monitoring patient's condition and monitoring and recording reactions as indicated. The HT observes the patient for potential problems that require intervention and reports these to the appropriate personnel. Collection, documentation of information, as well as pre- and post-procedure data and other procedures to which he/she is assisting with such as vital signs, skin conditions, etc. from the patient prior to the procedure or after the procedure and records information. Assist with minor wound dressings and assist the patient with the check-out process; clean and sanitize the room after patient encounters. He/ she performs a variety of personal care or nursing care activities that do not require practical or vocational nursing licensure or professional nurse education. Removes sutures and completes simple dressing changes under the direction of the provider. Monitors and tracks inventory control, restocking and organizing supplies, and identification and procurement of supplies, including RME cleaning are also performed. The incumbent cleans RME per hospital policy. Pre-cleaning instructions will be performed in collaboration with the Sterile Processing Service (SP) prior to return. He/she checks sterile supplies for expiration dates. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/ PD138890 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. It may involve walking, frequent bending, reaching, and stretching to assemble and disassemble equipment, lifting, and positioning patients. Duties may require above average dexterity. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level."]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.