Summary This Position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Care Network (VISN 6), Asheville VA Medical Center, Nursing Service, Primary Care Service Line, in Asheville, NC. The incumbent is the key liaison between the clinical staff and patients assigned in Primary Care Clinics (PCC) and must carry out duties independently. Responsibilities Major Duties: This position serves as a Health Technician (HT)/Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) in the Primary Care Clinic (PCC). The PCC provides outpatient primary care to patients who present with urgent/chronic medical conditions, change in mental/functional status and provide preventative health care. The HT will perform duties with minimal supervision but will keep the provider and licensed team members informed if incidents arise that need assessment. The HT will perform basic screening and information gathering under the supervision of the registered nurse. Knowledge and duties of Vaccine administration. Duties include a variety of patient care and nursing activities that do not require practical, or registered nurse licensure. Directly assists other personnel in the treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. This position serves as the link between the clinical and administrative staff and performs administrative as well as clinical duties according to established procedures. Administrative Support: The incumbent personally greets patients requesting assistance, putting them at ease. Carefully observes and questions patients about the nature of medical problem to determine if a medical emergency exists which may require immediate medical attention for further evaluation and management. Demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to both existing and potential emergency situations based on utilization of provider order, unit and facility guidelines and BLS protocol. Answers incoming phone calls and responds appropriately to patient requests for appointments, rescheduling and cancellations. Coordinates between providers, pharmacy, prosthetics, etc. as needed regarding patient's requests. Retrieves messages from the telephone system and completes appropriate follow-up call in a timely manner. Identifies patient/family educational need for information including nutritional psychosocial, age specific or developmental needs. Gives direction to patients to have lab work or x-rays, communicating the sequence of the test, and what to do when returning to the PCC and scheduling follow-up appointments and/or consultations using a VA computerized program such as: CPRS and VISTA, following protocols for various specialties and sub-specialties. Appropriately documents in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Carries out provider and nursing orders within scope of practice. Documents care accurately using clinical reminders with basic computer skills. Follows established Nursing Service and Primary Care Service Line policies and procedures, Medical Center Memorandums, and VHA Handbooks and Directives necessary for efficient and safe patient care. Employee uses judgment when dealing with day-to-day problems. Facilitates scheduling for patient testing, specialty examination and faxes any necessary test results needed in the process of this coordination. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Physical Requirements: Position requires extensive walking, standing, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. It may involve positioning patients and transferring to wheelchairs and stretchers using good body mechanics. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:30am till 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Tech (Med Assist)/PD04329A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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) 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/25/2024. Preferred Experience: Certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA); recent CMA experience GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: practicing excellent customer service skills in all forms of communication, either via telephone, e-mail or in-person; maintaining the vital connection. Knowledge of medical terminology for the human body, physical and emotional reactions, nursing care, and skill sufficient to provide and gather information in patient care/family conferences with the healthcare team. This knowledge is all needed to properly schedule test and procedures. Knowledge of official VA forms or electronic equivalent required to complete tasks and provides adequate documentation. Broad and comprehensive knowledge of VA eligibility requirements sufficient to advise medical staff and other support staff on issues out-patient hospital, nursing home care, dental, etc. Thorough knowledge of regulations pertaining to the appropriate release of information from a patient's medical record. Knowledge of the Vista and CPRS program or equivalent, for retrieval of reports, consults, and progress notes. Knowledge and skill sufficient to change sterile and non-sterile dressings and to maintain the sterile conditions of medical supplies. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. Successful completion of 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. (Must provide Transcripts). Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Biomedical Equipment Technology Emergency Care Infection Control Interpersonal Skills Patient Care Specimen Collection Technical Competence 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: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. Work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning patients, or similar activities. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.