Health Technician (Podiatry)

Summary The Health Technician (Podiatry) in this position receives guidelines and privileges from the Surgical Service in general, and specifically from the Podiatry Section Chief, for daily work, both in supervised and unsupervised activities. The duties are varied and complex, consisting of performing functions normally completed by LPNs, surgical scrub nurses / techs, laboratory technicians, etc. Responsibilities Orders and stocks an adequate level of non-sterile and sterile supplies and drugs from the pharmacy and SPD. Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures, supports medical and health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Independently interprets requests or instructions for medical or health care personnel. Sets up, operates and monitors specialized podiatry equipment. Sets up all necessary accessories or supplies and advises other medical personnel of new equipment accessories or supplies. Uses a practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures related to the podiatry field. Understands the function of and is fully capable of instructing in the use of surgical instruments and is prepared to provide the correct instrument to the physician as needed. Assists the podiatry physician in various no-surgical and surgical procedures. Prepares necessary administrative paperwork, inputs information into the computer system as necessary. Coordinates the scheduling of new, follow-up, and postoperative consults, as wen as ensuring all tests, x-rays, CTs, and MRls are ordered and the results are obtained prior to the patient being seen. Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and / or geriatric patient. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care, and educating patients on pre-testing and post procedure activities. Work Schedule : Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 7 : 30AM - 4 : 00PM subject to change based upon facility needs. Position Description Title / PD# : Health Technician (Podiatry) / PD03662A Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) : 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. In addition to meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the experience requirements relevant to this position. For this Health Technician-Phlebotomy / Acute Care, GS-06 position : To qualify at the GS-06 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher. Specialized Experience to include, but not limited to : Conducts hands-on experience in clinical settings, assisting with patient assessments, wound care, and minor surgical procedures. Independently manages patients and supplies, while ensuring a clean and organized clinical environment. Experience maintaining accurate medical records and clerical skills in a clinical environment. Works with computer systems to include sending and retrieving email in Outlook; Utilizes medical terminology You will be rated on the following competencies below : Attention to Detail Infection Control Medical Information Patient Care Technical Competence 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 Demands : This is a mentally and physically demanding position. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Work with patients requires regular and recurring bending. lifting. stooping, stretching. and similar activities. Uses principles of body mechanics and obtains assistance when needed. Uses protective measures and techniques in managing disturbed behavior. This position also requires patient lifting and positioning patients for podiatry treatment. Work Environment : The work involves everyday risks, which require normal safety precautions typical of a medical center or clinic. When involved in direct patient contact work may present risk of exposure to contagious disease and disturbed patients. Patient care duties are performed in an ambulatory care setting and in a hospital environment including patient care areas where there is greater potential for the occurrence of disturbed behavior requiring usual safety precautions. Patient care duties will be performed in operating rooms, clinics, and office environments. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP), va.gov / EMPLOYEE / docs / The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions : All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.