The primary purpose of the position is to assist the primary nurse with patient care, receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries. Determines nature of inquiry and independently responds to all administrative questions, and assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Assists patient in contacting volunteer or social services as needed.

Duties

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. Major Duties: * Performs direct patient care including personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, safety, etc. * Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries and makes referrals. * Receives and responds to a number of unclear inquires form patients concerning a variety of medical personnel and administrative matters. * Maintains stock of supplies and sterility of instruments. * Performs or assists Triage staff with diagnostic procedures including EKGs, venipunctures, and alcohol breathalyzer used to diagnose medical conditions. * Assists in the performance of or independently performs procedures such as insertion of urinary catheters and intravenous catheters. * Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting supportive equipment. * Performs duties in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable laws and policies. * Instructs patients in crutch, walker and or cane use and ensures correct fitting of equipment. * Performs duties involving customer service and or public liaison. * Performs duties in accordance to applicable safety precautions and infection control. * Operate emergency department equipment such as Telemetry and automated external defibrillator (AED). * Provides general clerical/administrative support coordination work for the Triage area. * Collects and organizes statistical data for reports. * Performs patient charting using standard medical terminology entering information regarding care rendered, condition and progress. Work Schedule: Varies Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (OA)/PD02583A Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate to heavy (15-44 pounds) lifting of equipment or patients and requires standing, walking, bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching and similar activities in an immediate or limited time frame.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Must meet Individual Occupational Requirements: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. AND Have specialized experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 grade level: 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: Advanced EMT or Paramedic certification; Experience in supporting Triage activities, from care to therapeutic treatment and specimen collection; Knowledge of safety precautions and infection control as it relates to patients presenting in the Emergency Department; Experience in applying age appropriate direct patient care procedures including ADL's (Activities of daily living); Skill in communicating in a tactful and courteous manner with a wide variety of individuals with various levels of understanding; Ability to work as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide care to patients. - Demonstrated ability to prioritize emergency care of critical or unstable patients; Experience in treatment of behavioral emergencies or psychiatric patients. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) directly related to the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 year of full-time study. 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 Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Yesenia Nery
• Phone: 910-488-2120 X1273
• Email: [email protected]