Health Technician Job in Flagstaff, AZ

Vacancy No. CBSX-12607770-25-QMD Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $39,576.00 to $51,446.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/14/2024 Close Date 11/26/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Flagstaff, AZ


Summary

The position is at full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),with the, Northern Arizona Health Care System (NAVAHCS), Primary Care Service Line at the Flagstaff Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)/ Rural Clinic. The Health Technician is responsible for providing clinical and clerical services, to include lab draws, and perform phlebotomy collection with proper shipping, patients and family education, assist providers, and clerical support.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Northern Arizona Health Care System (NAVAHCS) for Primary Care Service Line. Major duties and responsibilities include:

  • Determines technical factors, sets control and operates equipment and instruments. Sets technical factors, adjusting for patient anomalies. Sets operational parameters for equipment with few operating functions.
  • Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory, etc. Obtains venous blood samples from patients, using proper techniques, identification of patient, use of safety needles, etc. Prepares, packages, and ships specimens to Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) adhering to regulations of the transport of biohazardous specimens.
  • Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures such as electrocardiograms, accuchecks for glucose determinations, and simple wound care treatments and dressing changes, according to written protocol or as directed by the providers or other clinical staff.
  • Generate encounter forms for patient s appointment. Uses Vista and CPRS to document in the patient s medical records. Files individual documents or information in records. Documents pertinent information including current health status and subtle changes in the patient s status. Gathers data and prepares reports.
  • Performs administrative tasks such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken. Obtains and provides basic medical information for patient and caregivers. Interviews the patient to document the nature of the complaint and its current state, past history or family history, current medication and other similar matters. Verifies laboratory orders, clarifies unusual requests with initiating provider. Provides basic patient education on pre-testing and post-procedure patient activities.
  • Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex, non-routine patient situations including subtle changes in patients behavior or condition or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs or other parameters and communicating them to the RN/provider.
  • Teaches patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care. Provides specific health information based on the patient s condition. Provides patient education based on the needs of the patient and family, including tests, procedures, and the disease process. Provides preventive health education and screening to patients.
  • Provides general clerical/administrative support coordination work for the clinic. Obtains key information needed to walk-in and initiate medical administrative processing of requests and forms. Orients providers and personnel to the clinical area including the proper procedures for requesting medical tests and the requirement for completion of exams.
  • Schedules appointments and tests and coordinates all activities and appointments for the clinical area, avoiding conflicts in patient treatment plans. Answers telephone inquiries and regarding services available and procedures for admission to provide accurate information and maintain good public relations.
  • Performs using good customer service skills when interacting with veterans and with coworkers
  • Receives and directs patients, answer routine inquiries and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Receives and responds to unclear inquiries from patients concerning a variety of medical, personnel, and administrative matters.
  • Obtains release forms. Assists patient, visitors, and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD12581A
Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary and is performed in a clinic responsible for treating patients with a wide variety of medical problems. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a health care environment. This position requires the emotional ability to deal effectively with multi-tasking, and high-volume patient flow. Other physical demands include reaching, bending, stretching, walking, and carrying light loads of supplies

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • 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) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/26/2024
  • Specialized Experience: GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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, but are not limited to: Knowledge of VA/VHA policies and procedures; eligibility for medical care; priorities of care; release of information; and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) laws; Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory, etc.; knowledge of multiple systems and current computer technology and VISTA applications; knowledge of the organization to search records, files or electronic data banks to locate information needed, and to verify information given; knowledge of processes such as recording, reviewing, compiling, and interpreting medical data and information incidental to a variety of patient care and treatment activities; Performs using good customer service skills when interacting with veterans and with coworkers; Processing incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other forms of written communication; knowledge of collecting data for administrative processing of medical examinations, making referrals, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring return appointments for outpatient treatment work-up in compliance with VHA scheduling directives and HIPPA regulations.

OR
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level, you must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above the high school level, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

OR
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. 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-05. For GS-5 level, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. Experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. Transcript is required..

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.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.

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.


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 https://www.opm.gov/.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/26/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12607770.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Queen Dimas
Address
Bob Stump VA Medical Center
500 Highway 89 North
Prescott, AZ 86313
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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