Health Technician (Immunization)

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary This position is located in the Branch Health Clinic USS Red Rover, located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois (East Campus); a 1c complexity facility. The primary purpose of this position is to provide immunizations and documentation support to Navy recruits at Recruit Training Command in a safe and competent manner. The Health Technician processes patients through close patient interaction in an efficient manner, and guarantees patient privacy. Responsibilities The Health Technician processes patients through USS Red Rover close patient interaction in a tactful, courteous, professional, and efficient manner, while guaranteeing patient privacy. Safeguards all protected health information (PHI), at all times, through compliance with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPPA). Responsible for confirming patient identity and screening for contraindications, the health technician will provide prescribed vaccines and medications to eligible patients. Vaccines and medications are given under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). Administers oral, intradermal, intranasal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medication; with proper dosage drawn up as ordered by provider or specification in the standing orders. Records administered vaccinations and medications into the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) electronic medical record, and hard copy medical record. Records immunizations for active-duty members in the Medical Readiness Reporting System (MRRS). Educates patients regarding each vaccine prior to administration in accordance with the vaccination information statements (VIS). Due to potential for allergy and other adverse reactions from vaccination, incumbent screens patients for contraindications before every vaccination. Patients that have received vaccines are observed for a minimum of (15) fifteen minutes post-vaccination. Recognizes vaccination or injection-related adverse health effects ranging from vaso-vagal response to anaphylaxis. Responds calmly and appropriately in an emergency. Promotes and assists in the dissemination of information to patients regarding vaccine information, instructions on what to do if reactions occur post-vaccination. Disseminates information regarding disease prevention through proper vaccinations. Operates specialized medical equipment associated with the assigned clinic and commensurate with training (including AED, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, electronic thermometer, oxygen administration, wheelchairs, etc.). Work Schedule: 6:00am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Immunization)/PD23573A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2024. 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-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: confirming patient identity and screening for contraindications; providing prescribed vaccines and medications to eligible patients; ordering lab or ancillary tests and coding all patient encounters with nurse or physician concurrence; recognizing vaccination or injection-related adverse health effects; and recording administered vaccinations and medications into an electronic medical record and/or hard copy medical record. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. NOTE: One year of full-time undergraduate 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 or technical school. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.). 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 the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT AND/OR CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: If you do not submit the required document, your application will not be reviewed. 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 Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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 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 (