Summary

The James J. Peters VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for one Health Technician for the Dermatology Service. The Health Technician (Medical Assistant) works under the direction of the Dermatology staff physicians reports to the Chief of Dermatology. The Health Technician (MA) requires a general review of their work by the MD for appropriateness and conformity with license - policies - and procedures.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 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. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: experience completing prosthetic orders - supply requisitions - and work orders; sets clinic up for next day; retrieves medical profiles and laboratory results as needed. Schedules appointments and reviews travel authorizations from physicians based on the Medical Center's policies - procedures - and manual regulations. Assists physicians in the performance of surgical procedures such as wound debridement - skin biopsy - laser treatments - removal of skin cancers - excision - electrodissection and curettage. Communicates and treats customers in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner. 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

• Administrative Responsibilities The MA performs all medical clerical operations related to the practice - including - Registration - Encounter forms - and Means Test - Completes prosthetics orders - supply requisitions - and work orders: sets clinic up for the next day: retrieves medical profiles and laboratory results as needed
• The incumbent must have the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing when rendering services to customers from diversified backgrounds in order to obtain and receive sensitive information in a professional manner - such as family income - medical history - and insurance information from the interviewee
• Investigates problems related to patient care and services - reporting all unusual circumstances to the Supervisor/Designee so that management may be kept abreast of events
• Effectively responds to telephone and personal inquires regarding customers' benefits and location of services available at the Medical Center
• SCHEDULER'S STATEMENT: incumbent possess the scheduling option in Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VISTA)
• Incumbents uses the scheduling options to schedule outpatient clinic appointments or uses the scheduling option for an administrative function (close encounters: no-shows) - when scheduling clinic appointments - the incumbent uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans
• This includes clinic visits and/or consultations and recall remainders
• Incumbent complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process
• If timely scheduling cannot be accomplished - the Supervisor is informed
• Accurately and completely reviews military or sharing documents to make eligibility determinations for treatment - beneficiary travel and/or transportation reimbursement
• Clinical Responsibilities Escorts patients to exam rooms - prepares patient for examination - prepares patients for surgery - prepares patients for examination - prepares patients for surgery - prepares documents needed for signature for procedures - photographs
• Assists physicians in the performance of surgical procedures such as wound debridement - skin biopsy - laser treatments - tattoo removal - removal of skin cancers - excision biopsies - dermabrasions - electrodissection and curettage - and chemical peels
• Familiarizes the patient with the procedure - including positioning - draping - prepping and sterilization of area
• Performs venipuncture including proper collecting - labeling - handling
• and delivering of blood specimens to the laboratory
• Lays out the surgical instruments and materials required by the physician and insures that the necessary instruments and materials are available when needed
• Customer Service ResponsibilityEmployee strives to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA Missions: Communicates and treats customers in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner Provides the customer information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems relating to the customer in a constructive and appropriate manner
• Environmental Management Responsibilities Maintains the general cleanliness - neatness and safety of patients' immediate area
• Observes the practice area for safety hazards
• Demonstrates or states understanding of standard precautions appropriate for the assigned position and environment in which it is located
• All employees shall possess the knowledge and skills required to effectively implement the GEMS
• Other Responsibilities The MA participates in all unit and interdisciplinary meets
• Complies with all OSHA safety and fire prevention rules and regulations - using protective equipment when required and provided
• Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervision of any unsafe or unhealthful conditions in the workplace
• Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety programs as directed by supervisor
• Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area - including the location of all emergency fire equipment
• Initiates appropriate procedures in emergency situations - e.g. - CPR and/or clearing an obstructed airway
• Carries out all other duties as assigned - normally of a related nature
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am to 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD51740A Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with various amounts of walking - standing - bending - and carrying light items such as medical records and/or files
• However - the position can also involve long periods of moving about the unit
• recurring bending - lifting - stooping and stretching with lifting and/or similar activities.