Summary Position is located within the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP), a 64-bed residential facility which operates an 18-bed homeless program, a 20-bed residential substance abuse program, 18-bed PTSD programs, and 8-beds for the Restorative Pain program. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Communicates with the treatment teams regarding treatment plan compliance, conformity with regulations, behavioral observations, and engagement in treatment services. Responsible for developing and maintaining a therapeutic, professional, helping relationship with Veterans admitted to the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP). Provides an encouraging presence on the unit and regularly engages with Veterans to ensure their behavior, treatment, and social adjustment is in line with their treatment goals. Monitors patient compliance with treatment plan requirements as well as Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) policies and procedures. Teaches patients, family members, and non-medical staff on matters affecting patient care and the necessity of continuing proper healthcare. Completes reports of incidents using an electronic incident reporting system (JPERS) when applicable and provides a detailed summary of the incident to supervisor in the SBAR form (situation, background, assessment, and response). Follows up with Veterans involved in any such reported incident to ensure continuity of care and well-being. Performs Point of Care Test Urine Drug Screens to determine illicit substances used by Veterans and reports this to ordering provider. Takes, reports, and records vital signs and reports any deviations to lead RN, medical provider, or supervisor; obtains laboratory specimens and prepares them for transport to the laboratory by labeling and sealing within biohazard bags. Gathers diagnostic information for medical providers by monitoring patients using specialized machines including continuous pulse oximetry monitoring, point of care whole blood glucose testing, orthostatic blood pressure monitoring, halter monitoring, and 12-lead Electrocardiogram (EKG). Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the immediate attention of medical provider or registered nurse for further assessment. Independently performs direct patient care activities including intakes, breathalyzers, obtaining vital signs, 12-lead Electrocardiogram (EKG), educational reminders, medication reconciliation, and any other procedures requested by provider or supervisor. Monitors Veterans taking regularly scheduled prescribed medications and observes veterans self-administer medications, such as insulin, under the supervision of nursing or pharmacy staff. Provides crisis intervention in situations of a medical, psychiatric, and/or behavioral nature. Utilizing a high degree of independent judgement, promptly assesses situations and assumes control of the situation by initiating appropriate action to secure medical care, behavioral modification, or police assistance. Recognizes signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and can identify patients most at risk of an opioid overdose. Recognizes the signs of suicide risk and promptly takes action to intervene by providing emotional support, encouragement, and escorts patients to provider for further assessment. Recognizes the signs and symptoms of being the under influence of illicit substances or alcohol. Confronts patients when these signs are observed in a respectful manner and obtains diagnostics such as breathalyzer, Point of Care, and test Urine Drug Screens. Work Schedule: 8:00 to 1630. Will be discussed further in the interview. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD41369ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 5 CFR 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 12/27/2024 .Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the 0640 occupational series. All applicants, regardless of grade level must meet minimum experience and/or education requirements. For this occupation, the education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, good observational skills and communication skills; ability to assess need for professional intervention of a specific nature; knowledge of infection control and sanitation methods; skilled in utilizing computer to perform data entry into and to retrieve information; obtain vital signs of human patients; obtains laboratory specimens and prepares them for transport; ability to arrange and pass medical instruments or supplies to medical provider or registered nurse during procedures; ability to gather diagnostic information for medical providers by monitoring patients using specialized machines including continuous pulse oximetry monitoring, point of care whole blood glucose testing, orthostatic blood pressure monitoring, halter monitoring, and 12-lead EKG; educates patients on the use of medical devices such as but not limited to TENS units, CPAP machines, BPAP machines, nebulizers, and splints (EXPERIENCE MUST BE DETAILED IN RESUME IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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. Physical Demands: Overall duties require occasional lifting, carrying 50+ lbs., sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, pulling/pushing, simple grasping, and reaching above shoulder. Conditions may also include heat, cold, excess humidity, work with chemicals, dust, noise, driving a vehicle, fire manipulation. Flexibility, tact, initiative and critical thinking are needed to perform duties with residents with wide range of diagnostic categories. Working Conditions: The work is performed both in the milieu providing medical/psychiatric care directly to patients in public use spaces and offices. The employee performs independent work with Veterans in the exam rooms, nursing station, medication room, group rooms, in vehicles, and outdoors both on and off grounds. Special health and safety precautions such as the use of personal protective equipment are required. The employee regularly conducts inspections, supervises building cleanup, and may be required to make rounds throughout the medical center including hospital buildings, dining hall, etc. Depending on training needs, the employee may need to attend trainings outside of the MHRRTP buildings which will primarily be located at the main VA facility, clinic or in the surrounding community. 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.