Summary The incumbent works under the Supervision of Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), Recreation Therapist, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists to provide services that promote the prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction. This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Responsibilities Under direct therapist supervision, assist implementation of treatment plans by managing lines and IV's/lV poles, wheelchairs, etc. that may limit function otherwise. Assist therapy staff in mobility of certain veterans utilizing Safe Patient Handling Techniques. Assist in transport of patients to and from clinic(s) within the facility. Promote STRIDE Program by participating in daily walks with enrolled participants and completing required documentation timely in CPRS. Maintains infection control and safety precautions. Under direct therapist supervision, assists with fitting/issuing/instructing in proper use of basic prosthetics, orthotics, and supportive devices. Adjusts, instructs and issues assistive devices for ambulation and assists in instruction of patients in proper use, care and safety. Assists in measuring and adjusting wheelchairs and instructs patients in proper use, care, and safety. Assist with instruction of patients in the use of orthoses, supportive devices, Activities of Daily Living devices, and leisure activities Employee receives and directs patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions and maintains treatment area in a safe, orderly manner. Employee is expected to recognize potentially hazardous situations (i.e. water on floor, frayed cords) and takes corrective action Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD10778A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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, 09/20/2024. 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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. 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 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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Computer Skills Critical Thinking Customer Service Infection Control Interpersonal Skills Partnering Patient Care Safety Engineering 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 active and requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, squatting, carrying light items, pushing wheelchairs and providing assistance in moving veterans. The work requires above average agility and dexterity; and may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients 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 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. 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.