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Health Technician (Clinical Assistant)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Western Region Human Resources - Portland Area Indian Health Service Units
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The position works at an ambulatory health care center. Works for the specialty of the presiding health care professional to help with patient care and clinical duties.

This open continuous announcement allows acceptance of applications throughout an open period with eligible applicants being placed on a standing register and referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Accepting applications at multiple grade levels & multiple locations for recruitment of the greatest number of candidates

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/23/2022 to 12/30/2022
Salary
$40,262 to - $62,232 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Salem, OR
Warm Springs, OR
Nespelem, WA
Wellpinit, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. The locations that may pay for relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy are: Wellpinit, Washington; Omak, Washington; and Nespelem, Washington. The locations that will NOT pay expenses are Salem, Oregon; and Warm Springs, Oregon.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
IHS-22-11474795-ESEP/MP
Control number
650643800

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Duties

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In general, the duties of the position are listed below:

  • Assist health care provider to examine or treat patients.
  • Take and record vital signs and medical histories, prepare patients for examination, draw blood, and administer medications as directed by health care provider
  • Provide interpretation of technical information.
  • Maintain safe and clean working environment.
  • Ensure supply area is kept stocked and clutter-free.
The incumbent receives progressively more responsible assignments as experience and training are gained for advancement to the target level position.

For grade GS-07 duties. Examples of duties are listed below::
  • Provide health care to a range of patients presenting with complex or multiple systems dysfunctions and/or disorders.
  • Perform procedures within the scope of practice to include sterile dressing application and packing, enemas, suture/staple application and removal; applies orthopedic splints as prescribed by Provider;
  • Assist Provider in performing diagnostic, therapeutic, and minor surgical procedures ranging from routine to specialized for example, biopsy, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and electrocardiogram.
  • Initiate intravenous (IVs), regulates flow rate, and monitors prescribed IV fluids.
  • Administers prescribed oxygen and respiratory therapy treatments,
  • Act as liaison between patients and the primary professional medical care provider.
  • Serve as an assistant during procedures: handling instruments, redirecting lighting, and repositioning patients. Instructs patients regarding preparation for procedures, post-procedure expectations, and signs/symptoms of potential complications. Prepare rooms for procedures; select and arrange appropriate instruments, packs, fittings, adaptors; initiates IVs, draping, positioning, grounding, and ensuring an aseptic examination area. Prepares required medical supplies and equipment necessary for such procedures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must pass pre-employment examination.
Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain any certification requirements. If unable to obtain or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.


Qualification Standards are combination of Individual Occupational Requirements for this occupational series and Group Coverage Qualifications for Technical and Medical Support Positions. Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above) will vary since 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:

Specific Qualification Criteria for Grade GS-06

  • Possess 1 year of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples Include: work experience as a certified medical assistant in a family medicine orientated medical facility working as part of a health care team that provides acute and chronic care for patients from birth to geriatrics, administer testing and vaccines as directed by the Provider Team; assist with in advanced clinic procedures, including, but not limited to, minor surgical procedures, woman's health, and wound care.
Specific Qualification Criteria for Grade GS-07
  • Possess 1 year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples Include: work experience as a certified medical assistant providing complex health care to high risk patients, using specialized equipment such as cardiac monitors, EKG, & IV fluid pumps, interpreting examination requests accurately and recognizing a need for additional tests, and establishing a patient care plan; responsible medical administrative work such as monitoring inventory and coordinating supply ordering for the whole medical clinic, collaborate with Provider and RN on chronic medical care of patients with chronic conditions and panel management, coordinate referral care for identified chronic patients and maintaining vendor lists for referral care, coordinate telehealth clinics including scheduling, patient preparation and presence during telehealth visit with outside providers.
Selective Placement Factor for candidates for Grades: GS-06, or GS-07
In addition to the minimum requirements, the following certification is determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates who do not meet a selective placement factor are ineligible for further consideration
  • Candidates must possess and provide proof of Certified Medical Assistant from an accredited institute.
There are many certifications to choose from, such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), which are widely recognized.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

As a general rule, education is not creditable above GS-5 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

Additional information

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit at positions located at the Western Oregon Service Unit in Salem. Oregon.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-07 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions to determine your competency in the following.

  • Administration and Management
  • Healthcare
  • Injection Techniques
  • Technical Competence


You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaires. If after reviewing your resume and responses to the assessment questions, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration.

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11474795. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 12/30/2022, to be considered. OR, all documents above must be received by established cut-off date.

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