This position functions as a Health Technician at the Dermatology Service of the Bruce W. Carter VAMC, Miami, FL. The Health Technician provides support to the physicians and physician assistants in the Dermatology practice ensuring the practice operates efficiently and cost-effectively. The primary purpose of this position is to deliver safe patient care as well as administrative support to the above specialty service.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/30/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. Note: 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 may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Medical clerical operations related to the practice; Assisting physicians with dermatologic procedures as needed; Responds to messages in a timely manner for issues requiring further medical attention; Trains clinical staff on phototherapy equipment; Documents all treatments, education, and/or abnormal findings and notifies the physician immediately of abnormal findings; Assesses the patient's learning needs and his/her ability to be taught about their dermatologic care; Ensures that environment/ area is free from safety hazards and initiates work order for repairs as needed; Routinely checks units for proper functioning; Order supplies as needed for the department. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Teaches Others Technical Competence Technical Problem Solving 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 is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, etc. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Special ergonomic precautions must be taken with sitting and typing. Work involves minimal risks and observance of safety precautions typical of a clinic and office environment. Since work requires a high level of interaction with patients in close proximity, employee may be exposed to communicable diseases. Employees are required to be tested for TB annually and are offered annual vaccinations to prevent influenza. Additionally, incumbent is at times confronted by angry patients or family members so special violence prevention in the workplace safety precautions is necessary. 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/.
Major Duties: Medical clerical operations related to the practice, including but not limited to, call backs as seen fit by MD. Coordinating with Residents and MSAs to schedule patients and assisting with appropriate dermatology follow up timing when duplicate returns exist. Receives and interprets physician orders for photo therapy. Assisting physicians with dermatologic procedures as needed. Teaching and discharge conferences with patients/significant others to assure, understanding of treatment plan. Determine response to previous treatment, and in consultation with the physician or RN, makes modifications as directed by provider or RN necessary by increasing dose, holding dose at the same time, or holding treatment. Recognizes adverse action effects to phototherapy treatments and notifies RN and or physician. Prepares minor surgery room assuring that supplies and sterile equipment are always available. Assists with wound care and post-op follow up care as needed. Receives phone calls from patients with concerns about treatments, assist patients and documents messages and ensures that the RN or physician. Implements a work sheet under the guidance of the RN to follow the effectiveness of the patient's therapy. Explains treatment thoroughly in terms that the patient understands by discussing, patients diagnosis, type of ultraviolet light (UV A or UVB), treatment scheduled, expected outcome, potential side effects, safety measures, and treatment options. Reports any deficiencies to the Registered Nurse or Staff Assistant and implements correction of unsafe conditions. Keeps machine(s) clean and free of dust and ensures that they are properly cleaned between patients or as needed.. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: HEALTH TECHNICIAN (DERMATOLOGY)/PD054300 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized