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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• Prepares podiatric work-up, laboratory or other requests, as required.
• Performs a variety of specialized clinic procedures such as preliminary examination and evaluation of patients.
• Performs a variety of standardized and routine procedures that are non-invasive.
• Prepares aerobic cultures and pathology specimens to send to lab
• Fits multiple types of orthoses and measures feet for correct fit or special-order footwear.
• Performs prep and variety of ankle/foot tapings in treatment for injuries.
• Assists Podiatrist in a variety of specialized treatments and tests.
• Sets up instrument trays, finalizes preparation of sterile field, skin prep and preparation of patients.
• Performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of clinic operations.
• Ensures proper cleanup and disposal after contaminated procedures.
• Performs various routine and general clinic administrative functions including ordering and stocking
  of supply items, medications accountability, ensuring quality control stock rotation.
• Coordinates communication/correspondent interaction between patient,
  provider and other medical and non-medical professionals.

Work Schedule: 07:30am-4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.)
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Podiatry)/PD04720A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period , your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): 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.

In addition to meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the experience requirements relevant to this position. For this Health Technician-Phlebotomy/Acute Care, GS-06 position: To qualify at the GS-06 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher. Specialized Experience to include, but not limited to:

• Conducts hands-on experience in clinical settings, assisting with patient assessments, wound care, and minor surgical procedures.
• Independently manages patients and supplies, while ensuring a clean and organized clinical environment.
• Experience maintaining accurate medical records and clerical skills in a clinical environment.
• Utilizes medical terminology

SCREEN OUT ELEMENT: Your qualification will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the online questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating: those who are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the job elements.

• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Patient Care
• 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 Demands: Work is both sedentary and mobile. Work may involve frequent bending, stooping, stretching; as well as repositioning patients. Manual dexterity in handling instruments is required. There is some physical effort involving bending, lifting, standing, may be required when carrying supplies, some equipment inventory, materials, and when providing presentations. In the event of a disaster, there are requirements for physical and mental endurance, involving extended hours and physical hardship. The nail technician would be expected to be available in the event of disaster/emergencies as part of the Activation Command.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a patient care setting which exposes the employee to moderate risks, foot diseases, and infections, which may require the use of gloves and gowns. The nail technician is required to visit
patient care areas to assist staff with environmental or logistical issues and talk with Veterans or family
members about their healthcare experiences.

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.