The primary purpose of the Health Technician position is to perform various routine and non-routine patient care activities, procedures and tasks for which they have been deemed competent, and which do not require the judgment and skill of a licensed health care professional. The incumbent functions day to day under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and reports to the Nurse Manager in the assigned clinical area for administrative and overall technical supervision.

Duties

Major duties include but not limited to: Observe all safety and infection control practices in accordance the procedures established by national, regional, and facility policies. Promotes a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Assisting in the training of students and new employees. Performing clerical functions such as photocopying, sorting, assembling, filing and delivery of such. Answers telephones, sorts incoming mail and other clerical tasks. Provides extensive ancillary/diagnostic support services to primary care providers such as the completion of vital signs including pain assessments, completion of clinical reminders, obtaining preliminary medical history, providing order entry for provider's signature, input of electronic progress notes at time of care, exit interview input, appointment scheduling, consultation/completion status input, arranges for hospital admission, assist with community/HBHC referrals, reports tests results to clinician, provides educational instruction for patients/family, and performs other required administrative or clerical support as needed. Assists patient in contacting their primary care provider or other services as needed. Gathers and compiles statistics for necessary reports as requested by supervisor. Completes and enters encounter information into VISTA at the time of the encounter ensuring accuracy and completeness for reimbursement purposes. Completes weekly inspections of wall mounted biohazard disposal sharps containers. Assures adequate supplies are ordered through SPD for deliveries to the clinic's main supply room. Performs weekly inventory of expired instruments and medical supplies. Cleans exam tables, other surfaces in exam room, wheelchairs etc. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording and reporting to supervisor/clinical provider deviations in vital signs, trucing specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory. Performs diagnostic test/procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens, fingerprinting for glucose determinations, suture removal, changes sterile dressings, injections and dressing changes, according to written protocol. Makes and reports critical observations and other reactions to the treatment team regarding conditions such as excessive bleeding, type and amount of drainage and skin integrity. Assist with diagnostic tests such as biopsies, gynecological, urological, dermatological, and gastroenterological exams, etc. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/ 91263-A Physical Requirements: The work is primary sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity that involves the heavy lifting of equipment and patients. Could also involve prolonged periods of sitting, keyboard entry, and prolonged periods reading of manuals and video display terminal information. 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.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. You MUST possess at least one year, equivalent to at least next lower grade level, of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Health Technician position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. GS-5 Specialized Experience: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: receive and sort specimens, check request slips for proper information, log in specimens and deliver specimens to various laboratory sections, receives requests or instructions for procedures, prepares and assist in the preparation and cleanup of the procedure/exam rooms, maintains medical instruments and equipment for procedures, provides verbal and written instruction to patients, explains the procedure and answers patient's questions during procedures. OR, Education: Must have successfully completed 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 of Specialized Experience and Education: You must have a combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable, and transcripts are required at the time of application. GS-6 Specialized Experience: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: provide extensive ancillary/diagnostic support services to primary care providers such as the completion of vital signs including pain assessments, completion of clinical reminders, obtaining preliminary medical history, providing order entry for provider's signature, input of electronic progress notes at time of care, exit interview input, appointment scheduling, consultation/completion status input, arranges for hospital admission, reports tests results to clinician, provides educational instruction for patients/family. OR, Education: Must have successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours or equivalent), or internship directly related to the position with a major that included courses directly related to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR, Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Must have an equivalent combination of successfully graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. GS-7 Specialized Experience: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: preparing a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of clinic operations, ordering and maintaining supplies for unit, transporting specimens and reusable medical equipment to specified location, stocking supplies in exam rooms, maintaining various unit logs and other related clerical duties associated with patient care and treatment, providing ongoing monitoring of vital signs, performing testing for blood glucose monitoring, arranging and passing medical instruments and materials to medical/nursing professional for a variety of tests and procedures. OR, Education: Must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) or internship directly related to the position with a major that included courses directly related to the work of this position. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR, Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours or equivalent) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. 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 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Amy Brasseaux
• Phone: 269-998-1560
• Email: [email protected]