The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Health Technician (Women's Health Chaperone). The Health Technician will function in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. In accordance with VHA Handbook 1330.02 (Health Care Services for Women Veterans), this position is restricted to female applicants only.
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements within 30 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement: Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/. All Title 38 Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) employees must have served in their Excepted Service position for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for a position within the Competitive Service. Applicants who were previously selected under a Competitive Delegating Examining Office (DEO) announcement must have served in their position for at least 90 days prior to being eligible for other positions within the Competitive Service. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Health Technician will serve as a chaperone for women's health rehabilitation visits. Per VHA Handbook 1330.02 (Health Care Services for Women Veterans), a female chaperone must be in the examination room during examinations, procedures, or treatments involving the breast and genitalia, regardless of the gender of the provider. In addition to breast examinations and pelvic examinations, this may include procedures such as Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. A chaperone must be present at all gender specific exams, procedure or treatments and when requested by a female Veteran for any visit. Chaperones help with the setup of the room for examination and treatment; assist the Veteran with dressing and undressing and provide gowns and other dressing apparel to the Veteran. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assisting with setup of the room and patient, may be required to assist in maintaining the patients position during the examination/interventions; helps to ensure the exam room is set up and sanitized and that needed tools and equipment are available to the therapist; properly cleans reusable medical equipment, per policy; ensures clean linen is stocked, and that dirty linen is removed according to policy; Explains procedures, positions patient for desired results, and cushion and shield patients as appropriate; varies procedures or positions to adjust for patients' medical conditions; Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to use and care for orthoses, prostheses, or other supportive devices; explains procedures and positions patients for a variety of standard treatment procedures; Assists clinicians to motivate patients and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities; Interacts with the patient and family about the goals for treatment; Instructs, motivates and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. 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 high school to meet the total qualification requirements. NOTE: 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 l year of specialized experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Customer Service Integrity/Honesty Listening Learning Interpersonal Skills 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 Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but also requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require assistance in moving or in lifting wheelchair patients, utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment (no patient lift). 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/.
The Health Technician (Women's Health Chaperone) in the Therapy Section of Physical Medical and Rehabilitation Service duties includes, but are not limited to: Maintain constant observation of the patient at all times. Assist with maintaining the patient's position during the examination. Ensure the exam room is set up and sanitized. Maintain and properly clean reusable medical equipment, per policy. Ensure clean linens are stocked, and that soiled linen is removed according to policy. Properly handles incoming and outgoing telephone messages. Respond to inquiries from patients concerning a variety of medical, personnel, and administrative matters. Recognize and refer urgent inquiries to professional staff for immediate action. Maintain various patient or administrative records for the clinic. Perform clerical duties related to patient care and treatment such as coordinating or recording patient activities. Follow clinician/therapist established treatment programs in accordance with the medical center's clinical care standards. Maintain contact with medical and clerical staff in various clinics and wards to resolve delays in the medical administrative aspect of providing medical care. Escort veterans and families to and from designated areas along with ensuring the outside transportation is obtained, when necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Women's Health Chaperone)/PD92061A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized