The primary purpose of the position is to perform specialized and varied support work in Diagnostic Imaging Service at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center located in Spokane, Washington. ** Recruitment and Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidate **

Duties

Greet patients and family members as appropriate. Register, check patients in for appointments using the CERNER Electronic Health Record (EHR) System and prepare patients for their scheduled procedure as needed. Provide assistance as needed in accordance with established policies and procedures to assure the highest degree of safety and care for patients. Assist patients and technologists in a timely manner to facilitate a safe, comfortable and efficient imaging experience with their ordered exam. Communicate professionally with patients, their families and with referring physicians, regarding imaging exams. Be familiar with basic computer programs and functions for reviewing/manipulating/entering patient and procedure information into the EHR and computer systems (e.g., CERNER, CPRS/VISTA and PACS). Ensure there is a correct and appropriate order before a patient is scheduled for an imaging exam in the patients EHR. Ensure the provider's order is correct and that it has been protocoled by a radiologist, if appropriate (typically CT, MRI, NM exams). Place appropriate notes in the EHR, such as the content and time of communications with the patient. Verify lab orders necessary for the exam or procedure have been ordered and are completed. When necessary start IVs as indicated per protocol for the exam to be done. Draw blood sample to run Creatinine test using the iSTAT unit and documenting the data in the EHR. Escort patients to changing rooms and begin the interviewing process if necessary (MRI and CT patients). After patients are screened and cleared, notify the appropriate staff (Technologist or Nurse) that the patient is ready. If sedation has been ordered and picked up by the patient from the pharmacy, notify the technologist or nurse that the patient is ready to take their sedation. MRI Protect patients and staff when working around a high magnetic field. The incumbent plays a vital and integrated role in protecting patient and staff safety in this high magnetic field environment. Patients having an MRI exam will need to be thoroughly interviewed utilizing the MRI screening form as a guide and all surgeries the patient may have undergone must be explored, (may require an in-depth review of EHR chart and calling outside facilities for information), particularly on the body part that is being imaged. Explore any indications of ferrous metal that may have been implanted or accidentally implanted in the body (any implants, stents or history of metal in the eye, shrapnel, metal shavings from grinding, welding and iron work, etc.) in the patient. Findings will be documented in the EHR. Inform the technologist of any findings or issues. Instruct the patient to disrobe and place on appropriate MRI apparel. Ask the patient if they need to use the rest room prior to their scan. Instruct the patient to wait in their assigned changing room. The patient will not be taken into the MRI suite until the technologist has reviewed the MRI screening sheet and gives the approval to do so. Assist the technologist with helping the patient on and off the table. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, or 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Radiology)/PD70587A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment and Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidate Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 12/06/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment. For this vacancy, employees under the GS pay system must have held a GS-3 or higher position in the last 52 weeks to be eligible for the GS-5 grade level. If you have not held a GS grade at any time in the past 52 weeks, or are a Wage Grade employee, this requirement does not apply to you. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of Diagnostic Imaging exams, exam time lengths, MRI set up, changing and cleaning of MRI coils, set up for CT/X-Ray/Fluoro/etc. and general department SOPs. Knowledge of basic procedures, medical records, medical terminology, and patient data for the Diagnostic Imaging Service. Knowledge of starting, discontinuing and documenting IVs for contrast injections and creatinine blood draws. Knowledge of issues related to patient safety and skill in their application to ensure that patients and staff are not subjected to undue or unnecessary risk during the course of their treatment. Knowledge of safety precautions for patients in a high magnetic field environment, CPR, fire, emergency, and disaster barriers, procedures for control of seizures and knowledge of proper body mechanics. Knowledge of infection control processes, universal precautions and use of personal protection equipment (PPE). Knowledge of basic computer programs and functions to research and enter patient and procedure information into the electronic health record and computer systems (e.g. CERNER, CPRS/VISTA and PACS). 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 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 this level. You must have a combination of education and experience equivalent to the requirements for a GS-5. Note: Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. Preferred but not required: 1 year in any healthcare worker position, familiar with using health record systems, and MRI familiarity. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCritical ThinkingEmergency CareMedical InformationSpecimen Collection 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. Physical Requirements: Work requires the Health Care Technician to spend most of the tour (up to 10 hours per day) on his/her feet with intermittent walking, bending, pushing, pulling and intermittently lifting up to 45 pounds. The use of a mechanical device is required for all heavy lifting (e.g. patient lifting). Work requires intermittent positioning and transferring patients in the delivery of patient care, utilizing proper body mechanics at all times. Work requires the ability to use a keyboard to access, input and retrieve information using a computer with keyboard. Work requires finger and hand dexterity adequate to handle and manipulate equipment, stocking of supplies, submitting reports and filing forms. The employee works with different types of personalities and is closely involved with disabled, acute, chronic, and seriously ill patients. He/she must possess stable personality and good mental health and demonstrate cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern. 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

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Athena Houck
• Phone: 361-277-9613
• Email: [email protected]