Health Technician (Podiatry)
Phoenix, AZ - USA
Job Summary
Recruiting for a Podiatry Health Technician at the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) in the Surgery Service Podiatry Section. The incumbent performs a variety of specialized clinical procedures preliminary and follow up clinical examination and evaluation of patients podiatric work-ups laboratory and/or other diagnostic tests as clinically indicated.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
- Perform a variety of specialized clinic procedures such as preliminary examination and evaluation of patients.
- Perform a variety of standardized and routine procedures that are non-invasive.
- Writes history finding and treatments in outpatient records in the appropriate format.
- Set up instrument trays finalizes preparation of sterile field skin prep and draping of patients.
- Prepare podiatric work-up x-rays laboratory or other requests as required.
- Performs clinical assessments and provides various forms of non-invasive treatments through delivery of direct patient care for nail fungi nail trimming toenail debridement callus and corn removal slant backs for ingrown toenails application of topical medications foot soaks and basic podiatry care within scope of work and under the direct supervision of the attending podiatrist.
- Performs direct patient care duties with the use of medical instrumentation such as scalpels nail cutters curettes tissue nippers and other required instrumentation.
- Identifies significant clinical changes in patients and promptly reports findings to the assigned physician.
- Applies wraps/dressings for ulcers and podiatric wound care performs sports medicine taping for soft tissue injuries applies foot padding for hammertoes corns calluses diabetic ulcers bunions post-operative and podiatric specific diseases disorders injuries and preventative medicine.
- Provides direct patient care utilizing podiatric medical equipment in a clinical setting to perform non-invasive procedures in the Podiatry clinic.
- Performs post-operative dressing application and removal and may be instructed to remove splints and/or casts and refurbishment of orthotics casing (add layers glue and file down).
- Preforms triage vital sign measurement and documentation upon intake.
- Sets up for procedures aids during procedures: passes medical instruments needles medicines and ointments.
- Completes appropriate CPRS progress notes and charting of all patient care provided ensuring appropriate workload capture and encounter generation for treatment and visits are documented timely and accurately.
- Performs administrative functions as necessary for clinical operations such as: consult management documentation and encounter completion review clinical chart reviews scheduling and clinic utilization review and other administrative management functions as necessary for effective clinical operations.
- Provides patient education on home care and prevention of podiatric illnesses and infections.
- Interacts with patients visitors staff students and volunteers in a courteous helpful cooperative and compassionate manner contributing to the effective operation of both the service and the Medical Center.
- Identifies and reports problems which negatively impact patient treatment and/or public relations in a timely manner through appropriate supervisory channels.
- Responds positively and in a timely manner to customer requests for service or information seeking to continually improve customer satisfaction.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Podiatry)/PD10456A
Physical Requirements: Work requires frequent waling standing stooping lifting bending stretching pushing turning and at time carrying heavy loads. Incumbent must utilize good mechanics. Manuel dexterity in handling instruments is required.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR INSERT 2-year trial period) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
o qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet one of the following:
- Possess the technician experience that requires application of knowledge methods and techniques of the position to be filled. (This position is part of the series that range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists speech pathologists medical officers and optometrists.)
Specialized Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: receive and prepare patients for examinations; maintain patient records; restock medical supplies; and instruct patients of discharge/after care procedures.
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.
There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.
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: 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: 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 applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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 OPMs Career Transition Resources website which can be found at 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 employees 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 and request information about the Alternate Application process please contact the Agency Contact listed for this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).
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.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Required Experience:
IC