The New Mexico VA Healthcare Network is recruiting for Health Technicians in the Ambulatory Care Service, Artesia, NM. 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). The technician plans and carries out procedures, handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in line with previous training and accepted practices. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 would typically include, but are not limited to: received written and verbal requests for a variety of difficult exams, entering consults, scheduling exams, entering clinical reminders, entering requests for labs and x-rays; has updated patient demographic information; has set controls, calibrated and operated equipment such as EKG machines, CBG monitors, ABI doppler, bladder scan, spirometer, and vital sign monitors; has performed a variety of routine and difficult diagnostic tests and procedures including CBG, venipuncture, orthostatic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, visual acuity, 12-lead EKG, ABI, PFT, foot exams, and the like. Administrative experience such as documenting patent information relating to pre-testing or post-procedure activities, appointment scheduling, entering lab requests in the system. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have six months of graduate level education that is directly related to the work of the position to be filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent (1) year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the (1) year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Transcripts are required to substitute education for experience). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond six months of graduate level education. 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-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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. ["Duties include but are not limited to: The Health Technician provides support to the PACT by performing technical and administrative tasks. 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. Duties include, but not limited to: Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures such as, EKG machines, CBG monitors, ABI dopplers, bladder scans, spirometers, vital sign monitors, etc. Effective communication to interview patients and families to gather appropriate/pertinent medical information/history as it relates to clinical reminders for which the Health Tech is within their scope and complexity to complete. Insertion techniques for drainage apparatus; proper storage of blood and body fluid specimens; performance of complex and sterile dressing procedures. Practical knowledge and skill in utilizing equipment to perform the following: EKG, CBG, bladder scan, monofilament foot exams and vital signs and other procedures as outlined above. Ability to operate portable oxygen and suction equipment; lifting and transfer devices. Practical knowledge of standard procedures for providing medical support care following VHA and Medical Center policy and procedures in a safe and effective manner so as to protect patients, team members and self from injury or exposure. Provides clerical and administrative support to relieve health care professionals in the Primary Care to include appointment scheduling. Obtains release of information forms and assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Processes data requests. Provides support for patient education, referrals and resources appropriate to the needs/requests of the patient and or as directed by supervisor, and or clinical team. Provides training to new clinic staff regarding equipment or instruments used. Provides assistance of a technical, specialized or support nature to 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. 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. Work Schedule: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Monday through Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD05125A and 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."]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
