Health Technician (ENT)

Summary The ENT Health Technician provides complete care and manages the technical aspects of the ENT clinic. This responsibility requires a thorough knowledge of the procedures required for pressure equalization tubes, biopsy of the skin, neck, oral cavity, esophagus, laryngeal and upper respiratory tract. Incumbent requires a thorough knowledge of the operation of complex equipment and maintaining this equipment in an operational mode. Responsibilities The technician facilitates fiber optic laryngoscopic examination and assists the provider in the management of epistaxis. The technician provides complete technical support for pressure equalization tube placement, biopsies, botox vocal cord injections, transnasal esophagoscopy, rigid nasal endoscopy, sinus debridement, vocal cord injection for medialization of vocal cords, and other procedures as indicated. The technician performs complex procedures such as appropriately sizing tracheotomy tubes, suctioning tracheotomy tubes and laryngectomy stomas, or replacing tracheotomy tubes when indicated. The technician also provides patient teaching concerning tracheotomy and laryngectomy care. The ENT technician interfaces with personnel within the facility and related services outside the facility via e-mail, telephone, and face-to-face to provide the ENT clinic with support needed for optimal service to the Veteran. Contact is made with the patient to secure the confidence and cooperation of the patient by explaining rationale for clinic appointments or scheduling of a procedure. The incumbent must know and apply knowledge of medication, equipment and supplies used in the clinics so as to communicate with both the medical staff and the patients. The incumbent must have thorough knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques and must apply these principles throughout examinations, test, and surgical procedures. Incumbent requires a thorough knowledge of the operation of complex equipment and maintaining this equipment in an operational mode. The technician is the consistent operator of equipment and teaches/instructs/coaches physicians and other health care providers in the use and care of this equipment. The technician is primarily responsible for transport of biopsy and culture specimens to the appropriate lab receiving area ("chain of custody"). Incumbent performs routine ear examination and removes cerumen from the ear utilizing instrumentation or irrigation. Once properly instructed on technique, the technician removes sutures and staples at the physician's request. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (ENT)/PD01133A 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 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, 05/13/2022. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail; Uses proper clinical procedures to perform medical tests (electrocardiography, pulmonary function testing, urinalysis, hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, etc.); measures and records vital statistics or other health information; adheres to quality and infection control protocols; Effectively expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communications; demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience; actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding of their comments and/or questions. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate level education that meets the requirements for GS-07 grade level in Federal service in the subject area of medical, health or related fields. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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 . You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Diagnostic Medical Testing Communications 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work 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 pm.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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. ??????? 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: d.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: d.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at pm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.