The position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Rio Rancho CBOC in the Ambulatory Care Service. The primary purpose of the Health Technician is to provide medical and administrative support assistance to the Patient Aligned Care Team, Ambulatory Care Service (ACS).

Duties

Major Duties: Provides technical tasks such as EKGs, bladder ultrasounds, ear irrigation, specimen collection of urine/blood, vital signs, including oxygen saturation and abdominal girths, height and weight measurements, peak flow, orthostatic blood pressure, visual acuity, CBGs and downloading glucometers, monofilament foot exams and influenza immunizations for both the PACT team and Annual Facility Influenza Clinic which covers both employees and veterans. Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Sets controls, calibrates, and operates equipment and instruments such as EKG machine, CBG monitor, ABI doppler, bladder scan, and vital signs monitor. Utilizes knowledge base, general instructions, and guidelines to perform a variety of routine and difficult diagnostic tests and procedures. Documents test results in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Graphic User Interface (GUI) and notifies health care professional of any abnormal or unusual results. Independently cleans exam rooms and re-stocks supplies as indicated by the needs of the patient or health care professional. Observes patient during procedures and identifies changes in patient condition. Monitors patient for adverse reactions and takes corrective action based on established policy and knowledge base. Performs any prerequisite tests on patients prior to procedures and notifies health care professional of any abnormal results. Provides training to new clinic staff regarding equipment or instruments used. Assists health care professionals in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. Supports health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Collects and labels specimens (blood, urine, sputum, stool) for testing. Utilizes equipment to administer prescribed treatments such as ear irrigation. Provides oxygen therapy based on established guidelines and notifies health care professional of abnormal readings. Provides technical assistance utilizing established guidelines and under the immediate supervision of the health care professional to complete assignments related to preventative health care measures that are included in the External Peer Review Program (EPRP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), Medical Center Performance Improvement (PI) indicators and nationally established performance measure goals. Documents in CPRS GUI patient education provided, relating to preventative health care measures. Documents patient information relating to pre-testing or post-procedure activities. Performs direct patient support to include gathering information from patients, providing personal patient care and patient education on home use of medical equipment such as glucometers, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters, etc. Promotes physical independence of patient by encouraging and teaching patient self-care techniques and activities. Provides clerical and administrative support to relieve health care professionals in the Primary Care by scrubbing the schedule for appropriate appointments. Entering requests for labs as generated by clinical reminder fields into CPRS GUI, utilizes eQM to meet SAIL and HEDIS measures. Performs remote data search utilizing CPRS GUI and/or VISTA Web based on health care professional requests for medical record information from other VA facilities. Obtains release of information forms and assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Provides support for patient education, referrals, and resources appropriate to the needs or requests of the patient and or as directed by supervisor, and or clinical team including by not limited to MyHealtheVet, receiving, and responding to secured messages, other VA based resources, approved community resources, VA educational material, etc. Assists with clinical reminders, enter requests for labs, enters consult request for specialty services as generated by clinical reminder fields into CPRS. Facilitates repair or replacement of any malfunctioning or broken equipment or instruments. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD12810A Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, stretching, pushing, turning and at times lifting heavy equipment and/or patients. Good vision and hearing are required to collect patient data.

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).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet the following: Possess technician experience that requires application of knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. (This position is part of the series that range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet the experience as described below: GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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: setting up equipment for procedures; operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures; performing personal patient care; utilizing an automated system to document; maintain and retrieve patient data; assisting with patient tests and procedures; and answering phones and directing phone calls to appropriate personal. 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

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Contacts

• Address Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Monaliza Seppala
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X2246
• Email: [email protected]