DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Incumbent is expected to be an expert of all locations of the medical center and have deep understanding of patient transportation principles. The incumbent ensures that special medical equipment (oxygen cannulas, masks, and oxygen tanks or indwelling/ex-dwelling catheters, etc.) is correctly positioned for transport and operating properly. The incumbent will be responsible, as needed, for the safe transport of specimens, records, medications, and patient support equipment to and from patient care areas. The incumbent may also be responsible for the food and other nourishment items on behalf of nursing staff as needed. Adheres to safety and infection control policies Uses Standard Precautions when indicated. Incumbent is expected to be an expert of all locations of the medical center and have deep understanding of patient transportation principles. The incumbent must also have knowledge and skill sufficient (with additional supervisory guidance as required by the incumbent) to observe/report and document the patient's physical and emotional reaction to treatments and transport. As a patient transporter supervisor, the incumbent should be an expert of all areas of the medical center and will therefore be called on to escort the aforementioned groups to needed locations when necessary. The incumbent should represent the healthcare system in a positive manner and promote and positive image of the healthcare system. He/she will demonstrate the proper safety techniques and body mechanics for performance of duties. When immediate medical assistance is required, the incumbent will facilitate arrangements to obtain assistance (such as initiating a Code Blue & Rapid Response, redirecting the patient transport to the Emergency Department, and other related actions), seeking assistance as needed. This includes calling the emergency response line The incumbent has responsibility for transporting all type of patients, except those requiring maximum levels of assistance. The incumbent will be responsible for knowing how to use computer systems, telephone, and other communication systems (such as Vocera) to coordinate the timely transportation of patients using the healthcare systems tracking methods. The incumbent must have a broad understanding of VA Customer Satisfaction Standards and goals, organizational customer satisfaction priorities and goals, and service customer satisfaction initiatives. The incumbent must maintain a general understanding of medical center programs, policies, and point of care locations. The incumbent possesses knowledge and skill sufficient to properly use the equipment needed to transport the patient to/from designated areas in the hospital, e.g. wheelchairs, stretchers, lifting devices, infusion pumps, etc. This includes a wide variety of optional equipment and devices connected to the above items and/or involved in the patient treatment process. In addition, the incumbent has training and skills to provide the ability to inspect these devices to ensure they are acceptable for transport activities. The timely completion of transport duties assists other healthcare professionals in receiving necessary information for treatment or disposition of the hospital operations. Monitoring of patients during transport minimizes negative patient outcomes. The incumbent must remain alert to unsafe conditions in order to protect self and others from injury/infection. The use of goggles, masks, gowns, gloves, and other miscellaneous items may be required. Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Work Schedule: Variable with rotating weekends and holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Transporter/PD92842A Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require assistance in moving or in lifting wheelchair patients, utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment (no patient lift).

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details..

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-04 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 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: OR You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-04 grade level: Six (6) months General experience AND Six (6) months specialized experience OR Two (2) years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required. General experience is defined as: Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience: Position consists of transporting patients within the facility, customer service, assisting in emergencies, general clerical/administrative support for the unit, receiving visitors, answers telephone and refers calls to appropriate staff, etc. You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-3 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area (i.e. transporting patients, specimen samples, medical equipment, etc.) of the occupation. Specialized experience is experience where you applied knowledge of transportation and delivery principles, medical equipment and appropriate operation / positioning for transport; provide information or assistance to customers; use computers, software applications, databases, communication systems, and automated systems to accomplish work, understanding of safety and infection control procedures, understanding of medical center programs, policies, and point of care locations; properly cleans reusable medical equipment, per policy; Explains procedures, positions patient for desired results, and cushion and transport patients as appropriate; Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to use and care for orthoses, prostheses, or other supportive devices; Assists clinicians to motivate patients and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities; Interacts with the patient and family about the goals for treatment; Instructs, motivates and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-04 level. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-04 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-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. 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Ronda Thorpe
• Phone: 216-791-2300 X42183
• Email: [email protected]