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The incumbent provides clinical and administrative support to the chiropractic clinic under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor. They are a high-profile front-line employee who regularly interacts with Veterans and their families as well as employees from other medical center departments and service lines To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. GS-5 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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: knowledge of the appropriate safety procedures with respect to the clinical services he or she is directed to provide; knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures necessary to maintain records related to Veterans, supplies, equipment, prostheses and clinical activities; knowledge and skill in emergency first aid procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, skill to apply such knowledge to perform routine diagnostic or treatment procedures or to assist as a team member during procedures, and knowledge of sterilization methods to clean instruments to prevent the spread of infectious and contagious diseases; knowledge of principles of infection control and safety for a wide range of conditions including implementation of universal precautions and identifying and reporting environmental safety hazards; ability to recognize urgent/emergent situations; knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies and program goals to perform assignments such as reviewing publications, directives and other materials, which may affect the section, and taking appropriate follow-up action; and knowledge of procedures used in determining eligibility of Veterans, appointment management and receiving patients; knowledge of office administration, correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and required format of VA Correspondence, reports, etc., and ability to interpret complex written procedures OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05level. Four (4) years of education above the high school level leading to a Bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position (i.e. nutrition, dietary therapy, food and nutrition science, food service systems management, etc.). (Transcripts Required) OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant has 8 months of GS-4 level specialized experience and 80 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 33 percent of the required education (i.e., 20 semester hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours). The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position. (Transcripts Required) 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. ["Duties include but not limited to: Initiating intake of new patients into the clinic by taking and recording vital signs, assembling a new patient record with all appropriate forms and assisting patients in completion of questionnaires and other documentation as requested by the treating chiropractor. With direction from the chiropractor, provides treatments/procedures to include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, cold, hydrotherapy, and other procedures in patient treatment as appropriate. Documenting treatments in the patient record. Reports any unusual reaction to treatment immediately to the chiropractor. With the chiropractor's direction, can assist in providing basic information on nutrition, ergonomics, proper posture, and exercise. Recognizing and responding to emergencies according to prescribed emergency measures. Initiates Basic Life Support on adults. Immediately reports hazardous or malfunctioning equipment to the chiropractor. Ensuring adequate supply of hot packs, ice packs, towels, ultrasound gel, proper levels of water in the hydro-collator, table paper, brochures, and other supplies in the treatment rooms and supply room. Orders supplies as necessary to maintain prescribed quantities. Exchanges linen daily and stores clean, folded linen IAW Joint Commission and infection control policies. Coordinates and communicates with other clinic and clinic staff as needed to ensure proper coordination of care. Ensuring reception area is manned by scheduling breaks and other clinic duties accordingly. Preparing requisitions for new and replacement chiropractic equipment. Coordinating with various vendors to set up training for new equipment and assists in the training process as needed. Explaining instructions to be observed to the patient prior to appointment for chiropractic care. At the chiropractor's request, refers patient to other clinics or specialty areas as required. Preparing the patient to receive clinical care from the Chiropractor. Monitoring vital signs and physiological changes in patients before and after Chiropractic treatment. Charting the veteran's physical and emotional progress using designated charting techniques. Documenting patient's complaints, symptoms, past and present systemic illnesses in CPRS. Assisting other patients and/or family members in the clinic and provides emotional support. Preparing equipment and assumes responsibility for cleaning, decontamination and sterilization as needed. Maintaining environment and handles daily temperature checks on hydroculators in Chiropractic clinic. Instructing the patient on his/her role in the various treatments. Instructing patients on the proper use of personal treatment items such as cervical pillows, TENS and cervical traction under the supervision of the Chiropractor. When on duty, the assistant attends departmental and section staff meetings, scheduled in services and any other assigned special program. Absences from meetings require the HT to notify the supervisor at least two days in advance. The Health Technician is responsible for medical record documentation including progress notes, encounters, attendance notes and consult closer as deemed necessary by supervisor. The incumbent will close consults and monitor encounters for the clinic to ensure timely completion. Reviewing the medical record to determine the length of time a veteran has been followed in a clinic. Annotating the record of patients followed in clinic in excess of one year and requests a physician's decision regarding continuance of care. Incumbent performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the Chiropractic and PM&R's Program operation. The VA Chiropractic Program is effectively integrated with appropriate programs in the Office of Rehabilitation Services, Office of Patient Care Services, and other relevant VA program offices to contribute to VA's Mission. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, PST\nPosition Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD90433T\nPhysical Requirements: The work involves various physical demands requiring the incumbent to be versatile in the many functions performed. The demands may be unpredictable requiring the incumbent to adjust accordingly. Some work is sedentary and is performed at a desk with intermittent standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, and stretching. When providing patient care, the incumbent must practice good body mechanics to prevent injury to self and others. The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone, working with written documents and files, writing, etc. Some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as books, files, papers, etc., and pushing of carts may be involved. Considerable walking between various buildings of the facility is required and occasional off-station activities may be required."]