Health Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Shreveport, LA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician works in the Podiatry Section at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, receiving general guidance from Surgical Service and specific guidance from the Podiatry Section Chief. The work includes supervised and unsupervised activities and a range of functions commonly performed by practical nurses, surgical scrub nurses or technicians, and laboratory technicians.

The technician performs routine, non-invasive procedures and specialized podiatry clinic procedures, including preliminary patient examinations and evaluations. The position supports VA missions and serves veterans, their representatives, visitors, and VA staff courteously and respectfully. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-05 in the normal line of progression, including relevant medical or health technician work; alternatively, directly related graduate education or an internship may substitute where applicable.
• Applicants must meet applicable Individual Occupational Requirement and time-in-grade requirements.
• Specialized experience may include receiving procedure or examination requests, providing appropriate adult or geriatric patient care, performing nail trimming and callus-paring procedures, setting up and monitoring podiatry equipment, maintaining equipment and instruments, and ordering and stocking supplies.
• A transcript is required if education is used to qualify; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Employment is subject to a background/security investigation and completion of online onboarding and identity-verification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Physical requirements include extended standing and walking; recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and similar activity; and lifting and positioning patients for podiatry treatment. Protective techniques and assistance may be needed when managing disturbed behavior or moving patients.

Responsibilities

• Meet customer needs while supporting VA missions and communicate with veterans, their representatives, visitors, and VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Perform standardized, routine, non-invasive procedures, including debriding corns and calluses, trimming nails, and providing blister care.
• Perform specialized clinic procedures, including preliminary patient examinations and evaluations.
• Prepare podiatric workups and fulfill X-ray, laboratory, and other requests as required.
• Assess patient conditions and determine whether referral to a podiatrist is needed or whether treatment may be initiated by the nail technician.
• Debride ingrown, elongated, or fungal toenails, with or without cautery; debride warts and diabetic ulcers; assess for infection; and remove foreign bodies.
• Set up, operate, and monitor specialized podiatry equipment and accessories or supplies.
• Clean, perform preventive maintenance on, and test podiatry equipment and instruments.
• Order and stock non-sterile and sterile supplies and maintain instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Provide patient care appropriate to adult and geriatric patients' cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs.
• Assist with patient lifting and positioning for podiatry treatment, using body mechanics and obtaining assistance when needed.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• VA may credit job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed