The Health Technician (Podiatry) performs a large number of routine and advanced technical procedures to provide the podiatric surgeons with information and data necessary for patient care and to assist him/her in such care. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/22/2024. Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. AND GS-6 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 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 the skills for use of common podiatric instrumentations; an understanding of the anatomy of the spine and limbs, musculoskeletal terminology, and the basic biomechanics; knowledge of the spectrum of musculoskeletal disease and the ability to recognize this wide range of pathology; working knowledge of common medications orthotics, lab test, and x-rays, and the ability to determine the best application of these to patients on a consistent basis; knowledge as to the proper operation and maintenance of podiatric equipment used during patient examinations and treatment situations; knowledge and skills of aseptic practices in order to clean, package, and sterilize instruments, and to disinfect the area and equipment with strict adherence to aseptic technique; knowledge areas of patient scheduling, patient referrals, and ordering of supplies and equipment; basis computer skills to maintain and develop a diagnostic coding system for records and in the operation of the health care center computer system, and knowledge in computer and use of electronic medical records; advanced skill levels sufficient to evaluate common podiatric pathologies and perform common podiatric procedures that require considerable training and experience to carry out such as skin and toenail debridement; ability to apply and remove strappings, casts, braces, therapy devices and compression dressings. Your resume will be reviewed for the following Competencies: Attention to Detail Integrity / Honesty Interpersonal Skills Teamwork 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. 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/. ["*** Bargaining Position *** Duties will be performed under the direct supervision of a Podiatric surgeon. These responsibilities require a high degree of manual dexterity and accuracy. An understanding of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, basic podiatric terminology, and basic medical science is needed. Patient Care Responsibilities include: Obtaining patient history with emphasis on self-care abilities, availability of assistance from family members, allergies to systemic and topical medications, and current medical conditions and medications. Under the supervision of the Podiatric staff the technician will be involved in direct patient care by performing and documenting the following procedures and tasks. Application and removal and/or fiberglass casts, splints, orthotic devices, strapping, braces, therapeutic devices and compression dressings. Application and removal of surgical dressings, to include Unna paste, Gel casts and performance of wound irrigations as needed. Removal of sutures from surgical wounds. Application of a variety of traction devices. Patient instruction is the care of casts and splints. Patient instruction in the use of canes, crutches, cam-walkers and walkers. The technician will fill requests for scheduling surgery and send them to the operating room. The technician assists the podiatrist in a variety of specialized treatments, surgical procedures and clinic procedures to include nail care, nail trimming, corn and callous care and wound care under supervision. The technician receives and prepares patient for examinations and treatment, prepares the outpatient procedure room for appropriate foot clinical procedures, ensures necessary supplies, instruments and materials are present, establishes required instruments, field and assists as scrub technician or as circulator. Clinical Supervision: The individual will assist in the daily operations of the clinic including: Acting as the podiatry receptionist by greeting patients, checking patients in, obtaining medical records, and ensuring smooth patient flow. The technician assures proper stock levels and care of all instruments used in Podiatry Clinic. The technician ensures proper cleanup and disposal after contaminated procedures. The technician assists in training and orientation of podiatric medical personnel in clinic procedures, techniques and tests. The technician answers inquiries of other personnel in clinic when possible to reduce the need for interrupting the podiatrists. The technician performs various routine and general clinic administrative functions including ordering and stocking of supply items, medications accountability ensuring quality control stock rotation. The technician makes regular inventory and revision of stock to ensure current stocking of high demand and readily required items. The technician obtains special order items and coordinates communication and correspondent interaction between patient, provider and other medical and non-medical professions. The technician performs other duties as assigned. Performance of minor repairs and routine maintenance, cleaning and sterilization of all podiatric equipment. Arrangements for major repairs of equipment when necessary. Assuring that all temporary personnel assigned to the podiatric clinics are properly incorporated into the daily functioning of the clinic. Maintaining podiatric clinic files. Recording and retrieving laboratory data, xrays and medical media slides and photos. Surgical Assistance: The individual will be expected to be familiar with sterile surgical instruments and with the usual outpatient operations done within the Podiatry clinic. The Health Technician would be capable of preparing the patient for the about procedure, arranging the needed sterile instruments for use by the surgeon and assisting the surgeon in the procedure. The technician should be familiar with the proper methods of identifying, handling, and care of surgical instruments. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Podiatry) / PD756-01245-A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Individuals must be able to work for sustained periods of time. Heavy clinics will occasionally require long hours with no regular breaks and sometimes hectic conditions. Overtime may occasionally be required on short notice, and the ability to be flexible in regards to patient need is critical. The position requires the operation of multiple devices for the treatment of patients. Excellent manual dexterity and hand, eye coordination is essential. Considerable stooping, kneeling, or bending in the normal course of duties required. Frequent moving or lifting of patients is necessary. The technician needs to have excellent strength and dexterity in both hands and upper limbs to perform his/her complex duties."]
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. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
