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.

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• Works in different settings, which includes, Cardiology Clinic, Hematology/Oncology Clinic, Hospitalist area and stress test clinic.
• Responsible for EKG, and stress testing.
• Knowledgeable of medical terminology, medication, laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, preps for individual procedures, and nuclear medicine exams.
• Knowledgeable of protocols and routines based on policies, procedures and practice guidelines for the areas commonly worked.
• Utilizes hardware and software components in the performance of duties. Hardware components include, but are not limited to, electronic typewriters, word processors, workstations (keyboards and visual displays) linked to a computer, and associated equipment such as laser printers, fax machines, xerox equipment, and electronic calendar.
• Sorts information in the various software packages to produce specific printouts for the clinical staff.
• Applies a good understanding of the software to identify and correct extraneous, erroneous and missing functions as symbolized or illustrated by codes which can be revealed on the screen.
• Uses word processing software to produce a variety of documents, such as encounter forms, treatment plans, specialty procedures (such as stress tests, EKG's, echocardiogram, Holter monitor.
• Uses database software to enter, revise, sort, and retrieve data for reports for review, transmits and receives documents and messages electronically using workstation computer that is networked or linked to other computers or workstations through a central processing unit, both at our facility and other VA's.
• Assists in training and orienting all other health care personnel in proper clinical procedures serving as a source of information concerning VA regulation, policies and procedures.
• Schedules appointment tests and coordinates all activities and appointments of the clinic area to avoid conflicts in the patient treatment plan.
• Ensures all manual log and computer entries for validation and workload reporting purposes are correctly entered in a timely manner.
• Inspects medical records after the completion of the final evaluation by the physician, for follow- up appointments or for no further action by utilizing knowledge of medical terminology and skill in reading medical charts.
• Answers telephone inquiries regarding services available, and procedures for admission in order to provide accurate information and to maintain good public relations.
• Recognizes and refers urgent messages to the professional staff for immediate action.
• Serves as the receptionist in the busy clinic area, screening and referring all calls and personal visits.
• Maintains various records and files necessary to the operations of the clinics including placing health summary, action profiles and encounters forms on records.
• Submits work orders and monitors order forms and office supplies.
• Sets up, calibrates and runs equipment to complete electrocardiographic records.
• Performs daily cleaning and routine maintenance of the equipment in the electrocardiographic department following established infection control and departmental policies.
• Assumes responsibility to help facilitate the transition from outpatient to inpatient care and back to outpatient when the need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-06 grade level: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Knowledge of medical terminology, medication, laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, preps for individual procedures, and nuclear medicine exams.
  • Knowledge of protocols and routines based on policies, procedures and practice guidelines for the areas commonly worked.
  • Knowledge of standard procedures in performing EKG's, which requires extended training or experience to perform the test and provide limited interpretation in order to assist orders given in emergency situation.
  • Qualifying specialized experience includes but not limited to; setting up, calibrating and running equipment to complete electrocardiographic records, capable of recognizing adverse responses and initiate appropriate emergency procedures such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, capable of recognizing clinical abnormalities in the electrocardiogram and performing rhythm strips when rhythm is noted as being abnormal, assisting with stress testing, assists in procedures, exams and in preparing exam rooms, experience with clerical responsibilities, as well as Office Automation Assistant responsibilities, uses word processing software to produce a variety of documents, such as encounter forms, treatment plans, specialty procedures (such as stress tests, EKG's, echocardiogram, Holter monitor and schedules appointment tests and coordinates all activities and appointments of the clinic area to avoid conflicts in the patient treatment plan. OR
• Education and Training: Successful completion of one half (1/2) year of graduate level education or at least (9 semester hours or equivalent) with a major that included courses directly related to the work of this position (i.e. EKG, Medical Assisting, etc.) Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR
• Combination of Education/Experience: Successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university.

Note: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. Copies of pertinent transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application. Education will not be credited without documentation.

• Interpersonal Skills
• Medical Information
• 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.

Physical Requirements: Incumbent may be responsible for lifting up to 30 pounds. Forms and office supplies for the entire unit are ordered and distributed by the incumbent. The physical demands require repetition of sitting/standing/twisting/bending and stretching.

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/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.