Transportation Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position will operate within the Veteran Transportation program within the Phoenix VA Health Care System. This position is responsible for the coordination of all patient transportation, including Advanced Life Support Ambulance, Basic Life Support Ambulance, Air Ambulance, Commercial Air, Wheel Chair Van, Stretcher Van and Taxi, for the Phoenix VA Medical Center and 8 outlying clinics. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates wheelchair, taxi and/or ambulatory transports with authorized transportation requests. Plans and arranges for commercial or contracted transport. Determines, verifies, and/or explains eligibility for arranging transportation of dependents, escorts, and care givers for interfacility transfers and transplant transfers. Understands and conveys status of specific medical conditions that may ensure the proper mode of transportation is selected. Coordinates and advises administrative and professional staff regarding bed confirmation, transfer of records, transportation availability and approval criteria relating to transfer to other facilities. Coordinates patient movement between Beneficiary Travel, Patient Transportation Service and Veteran Transportation Service dependent on Veteran eligibility. Authorizes all expenses and related accommodations necessary for completing an interfacility transfer, when the transfer is being supplied care in a Federal or other Non-Federal hospital. Ensures all transportation logs are complete and meet records management guidelines and must be able to provide accurate statistical data to all supervisory and management personnel upon request. Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Performs routine related clerical work. Ensures staff and volunteer drivers honor and comply with rules governing authorized credit card purchases. Responds to customer complaints or problems involving delays, loss or damages. Maintains knowledge of regulations and local policies governing transportation, traffic management and scheduling. Evaluates the medical and administrative information provided with specialized transportation requests. Helps to determine and implement the most economical mode consistent with the veteran's needs. Provides assistance to the Beneficiary Travel staff and department of Prescott and Tucson VAMC. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process.
• Must complete an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Incumbent will be exposed to stressful working situations that will require a mature attitude and collecting reasoning to overcome.
• The incumbent is subject to a great deal of stress because of the high volume of work, the need for accuracy, frequency of interruptions and ever-changing demands due to program changes.
• Duties will be predominantly performed in the Veteran Transportation Service program office with intermittent trips to various locations throughout the Medical Center's catchment area both in and near patient care areas were there is a prevalent risk of exposure disease.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06.
• The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.
• An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
• Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
• You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: collecting, compiling, tracking and analyzing data and statistical information in support of transportation; contacting customers to determine transportation needs and requirements; managing schedules for daily activities; entering information into an automated tracking system; and communicating and treating customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates wheelchair, taxi and/or ambulatory transports with authorized transportation requests.
• Plans and arranges for commercial or contracted transport.
• Determines, verifies, and/or explains eligibility for arranging transportation of dependents, escorts, and care givers for interfacility transfers and transplant transfers.
• Understands and conveys status of specific medical conditions that may ensure the proper mode of transportation is selected.
• Coordinates and advises administrative and professional staff regarding bed confirmation, transfer of records, transportation availability and approval criteria relating to transfer to other facilities.
• Coordinates patient movement between Beneficiary Travel, Patient Transportation Service and Veteran Transportation Service dependent on Veteran eligibility.
• Authorizes all expenses and related accommodations necessary for completing an interfacility transfer, when the transfer is being supplied care in a Federal or other Non-Federal hospital.
• Ensures all transportation logs are complete and meet records management guidelines and must be able to provide accurate statistical data to all supervisory and management personnel upon request.
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Performs routine related clerical work.
• Ensures staff and volunteer drivers honor and comply with rules governing authorized credit card purchases.
• Responds to customer complaints or problems involving delays, loss or damages.
• Maintains knowledge of regulations and local policies governing transportation, traffic management and scheduling.
• Evaluates the medical and administrative information provided with specialized transportation requests.
• Helps to determine and implement the most economical mode consistent with the veteran's needs.
• Provides assistance to the Beneficiary Travel staff and department of Prescott and Tucson VAMC.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

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