The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19), Salt Lake City VA Healthcare system. This position serves as an advanced technician assigned to outpatient care settings such as primary care, mental health, and specialty clinics.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/22/2025. Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience: 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. OR, FOR GS-5 ONLY: Education and Training: 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. Specialized Experience is required in addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-5 Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, 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 includes (but is not limited to: Assists licensed staff with patient care activities, including basic interventions and procedures, under close supervision. Observes and reports physical and emotional reactions to treatments using proper medical terminology. Utilizes electronic medical record systems (e.g., VistA or CPRS) to retrieve reports and document basic patient care. Monitors diagnostic signs (e.g., vital signs, skin color, and consciousness) and reports abnormalities to licensed staff. Supports medication preparation and administration under supervision. Assists with basic advanced care tasks (e.g., aseptic techniques and catheterization) and collects patient samples as directed. Provides clerical and communication support, including answering call lights and relaying requests. Demonstrates foundational computer skills and effective communication with diverse individuals. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. GS-6 Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05. You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment; answering and directing phone calls; scheduling appointments; documenting medical records; taking and recording vital signs; and collecting and labeling specimens. GS-7 Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: assisting licensed staff in the care of a variety of patients with complex medical, surgical, and/or mental health conditions, assisting with specialized procedures and interventions, and potentially life-threatening situations; possessing knowledge to recognizing life threatening situations and act to correct these emergent situations using established national/local protocols and policies as well as from training and competency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS) and the use of automatic external defibrillator (AED); observing patient's status and keeping licensed clinic staff informed of patient's condition and any changes in status. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Listening Problem Solving 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. Preferred Experience: Ability to lift 50 pound weight, a lot of walking, flexibility and good communication skills. Prefer one year of direct patient care, will provide training. 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/.
Assist licensed staff in the care of a variety of patients with complex medical, surgical, and/or mental health conditions. Assists with specialized procedures and interventions, and potentially life-threatening situations using established national/local protocols and policies. Observes Sterile technique when setting up and assisting with procedures. Observe patient's status and keeps licensed clinic staff informed of patient's condition and any changes in status. Perform observation-based screening and collecting patient information in collaboration with licensed personnel. Appropriately documents Vitals and findings in EHR. Preforms Point-of-Care Testing. Employs effective communication skills relating to patients, staff and visitors. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by keeping assigned area clean and in an orderly condition. Restocks supply cabinets in administrative and clinical areas. Assist licensed staff with medication administration in compliance with national/local directives and policies. Performing related duties as required. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Outpatient/PD12968A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized