The Health Aide (Escort) is assigned to the Transport Office in the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (formerly Voluntary Service, provides patient transportation and care within the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS).
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640, has individual occupational requirements, as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements: 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. Must have 6 months of General Experience - Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Or, 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. - And, GS-4 Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also have 6 months specialized experience equivalent to the GS-3 level. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Recognizes and reports significant changes in patients that are being transported. Prioritizing transportation based on patient care needs. Responding to patient emergencies. Clarifying discharge procedures, etc. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-04 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed two (2) years above High School education with at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to a study in medical, health, or related fields. 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. (To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages).NOTE: Transcripts required. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-04 level. You must have a combination of college level education beyond one (1) year with course(s) related to a study in medical, health, or related fields, and General and/or Specialized Experience to meet total experience requirements. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-04. 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 following: Transports adult and geriatric patients to and from units, clinics, and facilities within VASLCHCS and the local community for treatment if a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is not required. Ensures that the equipment (wheelchairs, beds, gurneys are the appropriate size for the patient being transported. Observes the IV's during transport to ensure that they are still connected properly. Ensures that the patient is properly covered at all times during transport to ensure modesty. Stays with the inpatients in the waiting areas until a provider or nurse comes to get them for their procedure. If during transport he/she notices that the patient's colostomy bag is full, he/she notifies the nursing staff. Carefully observes patients who are on IV's or oxygen and reports it to the Registered Nurse at destination. Recognizes emergency situations (i.e., codes, disasters, fire and safety issues) and takes appropriate and immediate action. Transports patients with severe physical and emotional conditions from psychiatric units to scheduled appointments with medical, surgical, and physical treatment and returns them to their respective ward. Ensures encounters with all levels of physical and emotional patients and families are handled in a courteous and tactful manner and any customer service compliant is easily resolved. Carefully observes patients during transport for signs of distress. Provides transport assistance to outpatients arriving at the medical center for treatment. Transport deceased veterans from wards/units to the morgue or chapel in special covered gurney. If the family members want to spend time with the deceased veteran prior to going to the Morgue then the incumbent will transport them to the Chapel at the request of Decedent Affairs. Demonstrates a courteous, caring, and respectful manner in all interactions. Interacts appropriately with adult and geriatric patients. Remains calm during stressful situations. Utilizes proper channels of communication, i.e., follows chain of command. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Aid (Escort)/PD07041A Physical Requirements: On a daily basis the position requires lifting, standing, pushing, walking, bending, stooping, and transferring as part of patient care administration. He/she must be emotionally stable and able to adjust to different types of personalities/behaviors using cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and empathy. He/she must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action.