You will serve in the position of Orthopedic Technician in the Joint Venture Service at the Anchorage VA Medical Center. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. GS-06 grade level: 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. Specialized experience includes: providing patient care by performing personal care, diagnostic support, treatment procedures (such as taking vital signs, collecting specimens, applying casts, splints, or cast braces, operating cast saw for removing, cutting, or trimming casts), patient care documentation, and applying the principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions, which contributes to the implementation and continuity of the care planned, for the health of the patient. OR Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. Education at the GS-5 or above is generally not applicable unless directly related. Successfully completing one year of full-time graduate education meets the requirement and is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. 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. ["Observes and assesses patients using physical examination, verbal and written communication from patients, family and other healthcare team members, monitoring devices, lab and test results, and other data as relevant to patient care. Recognizes signs and symptoms that may require nursing intervention and reports these signs and symptoms promptly to nurse for possible intervention. Provides care to patients of all ages. Identifies and responds to both existing and potential emergency situations by initiating corrective treatment and resuscitative measures, based on appropriate utilization of physician orders, unit and facility guidelines, and BLS protocol. Identifies patient/family educational needs, including nutritional, psychosocial, and age-specific or developmental needs, and provides patient/family teaching on matters involving and/or affecting patient care. Supports and participates in clinic/facility programs and responsibilities regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, inter-services, continuing education, and other functions as they arise. Contributes to the ongoing creation of a supportive and positive work climate of mutual respect and collaboration among healthcare members, patients, families and others interacting with clinic staff. Manages medical logistics system, orders equipment and supplies as necessary to provide optimal patient care, establishes and maintains adequate supply levels, and adjusts supply levels as needed to meet demands. Manages and maintains clinic equipment and procedures, to include training, documentation infection control, quality improvement, and accountability. May administer medications after taking course passing the medication administration test. Answers the phone, schedules patients for routine and follow-up appointments, assists in the maintenance of office records. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; compressed work may be available. Position Description Title/PD#: Orthopedic Technician/PD50308A Physical Requirements: The work involves considerable walking, bending, standing, twisting, and lifting of equipment and assisting patients with turning, moving, and transferring from one position to another, or to and from the exam table, chair, and wheelchair."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VA health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Our medical center provides primary care and specialty health services, including cardiology, mental health care, treatment for spinal cord injuries and disorders, suicide prevention, women’s health services, and more.
The Grand Junction VA Medical Center services those who serve our country providing critical medical services including acute and chronic inpatient and outpatient care. The facility consists of 53-bed capabilities for surgical procedures, specialty care, psychiatric in/outpatient services, as well as a Community Living Center, and social programs and services. The service area encompasses western Colorado and eastern Utah regions and includes the primary VAMC plus four satellite clinics.