Health Aid

Summary

These Health Aid positions are located within the Nursing/Education service at the Togus VA Medical Center in Togus, ME. These are full-time, temporary positions with an initial appointment/training expected to last at least 6-8 weeks, but may be extended up to 6 months. Failure to complete the training program satisfactorily may result in termination of the temporary appointment.

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Duties

• *THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***
  
  

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-3. At the GS-2 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-3. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides holistic in-patient care to Veterans in a manner conducive to the comfort and safety of those in the facility hospital units, living centers and/or household;
• Provides care for a group of patients/residents of varying ages;
• Provides a range of personal care as needed to include bathing, toileting, hair and nail care, and dressing in personal clothing while maintaining privacy and dignity of inpatient/resident;
• Assists patients with eating, drinking, positioning/ turning, ambulating, transferring, and escorting;
• Maintains general cleanliness of the inpatient/resident's environment including emptying and cleaning urinals, bed pans, GU bags and suction bottles, and disposing of dirty linen and disposable briefs;
• Utilizes specialized equipment such as ceiling lifters, Maxi lifters, wheelchair movers, steady and electric stretchers according to Safe Patient Handling and Movement Policy;
• Performs a range of clinical support duties;
• Takes, monitors, and documents resident weight and height;
• Collects urine, stool, sputum and other specimens for Laboratory analysis;
• Monitors flow of oxygen, replaces empty tanks, and fills personal use portable oxygen;
• Assists with inventory management and ordering of supplies;
• Performs other duties as assigned
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved



Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

NOTE: This is a TEMPORARY appointment (not-to-exceed 6 months). This appointment may be renewed for additional service in accordance with Agency needs for 1 additional year. Temporary positions offer health insurance (if the employee is expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days) but do not offer life insurance or retirement benefits and may be terminated at any time before the expiration date. The appointment to a Temporary position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

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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

English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

:AND:

To qualify for this position at the GS-2 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Experience: You must have at least three (3) months of general experience in (1) any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

:OR:

Education: Successfully completed high school graduation or the equivalent.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to provide documentation or proof that you have met the applicable educational provision. A copy of your transcript, statement from the institution's registrar or appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable (i.e., copy of diploma, GED certification, etc.).

To qualify for this position at the GS-3 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

Experience: At least six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or that provided a familiarity with the nutrition/dietary subject matter and/or processes of this Health Technician (Dietetic) position. Experience may have included documenting dietary information; able to use computer equipment, phone systems, printers, etc.; following verbal and written instructions. This position requires effective communication skills both verbally and in writing and good customer service.

NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

:OR:

Education: Successful completion of one (1) year of study that included study in medical, health or other related fields. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

:OR:

Combination: An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and 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.

NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Communications
• Flexibility
• Learning
  
  

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.



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; religious; 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: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with residents requires regular and recurring bending, lifting (not to exceed 35 pounds), reaching, carrying, stooping, stretching and similar activities. Care duties are performed in an inpatient/resident-centered environment requiring normal safety precautions. Due to the essential functions of the job, the employee may be exposed to infectious waste, disease, odors, and other situations associated with health care, including but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, MRSA, and VRE. Universal precautions are followed at all times. While if completing kitchen responsibilities may be exposed to temperatures of refrigerators/freezers and ovens, as well as wet floors.

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


IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (207) 623-8411.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Togus VA Medical Center

1 VA Center

Augusta, ME 04330

US