The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), Medical Specialty Care Service Line Dermatology Health Technician provides support to the Dermatology outpatient clinic at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. This position utilizes a team model of health care delivery to veteran patients. The incumbent will serve as a team member, with a primary prevention clinic assignment and will assist the providers and receive direction from him/her. For GS-6: Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been gained at least the equivalent of the next lower grade level of (GS-5) in Federal service. Specialized experience is understanding of standard Dermatology procedures and performing such work as wound screening, dressing changes for wounds, diabetic skin care instructions, suture removal; providing assistance with punch and shave biopsies evaluations and instructions; and providing wound care instructions post procedures. 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. OR Possess at least (6) months of graduate education or an internship that is directly related to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as described above to meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Previous Dermatology or Medical Specialty Experience preferred. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications Computer Skills Diagnostic Medical Testing Patient Care Specimen Collection Technical Competence Technical Competence Technical Problem Solving IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as standing long periods, walking, recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. 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/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties: The Health Technician uses medical Dermatology instruments and equipment to perform diagnostic testing and preliminary work ups prior to the Veteran seeing the Dermatology Provider. Assists in managing clinic flow and is responsible for reusable medical equipment disinfection. Incumbent is directly assigned to the Dermatology Clinic and performs routine skin and wound care for at-risk patients under the direct supervision of the Dermatology staff. Utilizing appropriate two-patient-identifiers performs preliminary examination and evaluation of patients, including intake interviews and vital signs. Conducts exit interviews and provides patient (self-care) teaching with documentation and specific instructions. Performs other nursing procedures as required, i.e., dressing changes, and assisting Dermatologist with major and minor surgery in accordance with VA policies and procedures. Documents tests results, patient status, history, findings, treatments, and response to treatment in the electronic medical record. According to VA guidelines, prepares and delivers specimens to the laboratory utilizing tracking tools. Identifies and prepares medical instruments and materials to assist in a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures. Sets up instrument trays, finalizes preparation of sterile field, skin prep and draping of patients. Performs cleaning and disinfection of all reusable medical equipment per Joint Commission and VHA regulatory policies and procedures. Implements and monitors infection control practices of reusable medical equipment, ensuring proper sterilization. Ensures examination areas are stocked with appropriate supplies and properly cleaned between patients, properly disposing of contaminated items. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Documents patient reminders, clinical interaction and closes encounters, answering questions and performing other duties as needed to ensure a beneficial visit, online activity and/ or training and support of the Dermatology team when appropriate. Performs all duties as assigned. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
