Summary This position is located in the Directorate of Fleet Medicine of Medical Home Port, located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois a 1c complexity facility." The Lovell FHCC is larger than just a single facility, but rather a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois which provide medical and dental services to U.S. Military Veterans, Recruits, and Active Duty and eligible beneficiaries. Responsibilities Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Immunization and Allergy Medications/TB Skin Test (70%) After confirming patient Identity and screening for contraindications, the health technician will provide tuberculin .skin tests {TST} and prescribed vaccines to eligible patients. Incumbent provides allergy serum to patients requiring immunotherapy as prescribed by the medical provider. All vaccines, TSTs and allergy sera are given under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). Allergy sera are given only on days when the ENT/Allergist ls available for emergency care. Administers oral, intradermal, intranasal, subcutaneous and Intramuscular medication; with proper dosage drawn up as ordered by provider or specification In the standing orders; Interprets TST reaction after 48 to 72 hours and records administered TSTs Into the electronic and hard copy medical record. Interviews patient and Identifies risk factors for tuberculosis exposure. Refers patients with positive TST to the Preventive Medicine Division. Records immunizations and allergy serum administration into the electronic medical record (AHLTA), and hard copy medical record. Records Immunizations and TST for active duty members In the Medical Readiness Reporting System (MRRS), Reports and records vaccines and/or allergy sera administered on forms presented by patient or sponsor, e.g., Immunizations records for schools. Educates patient regarding each vaccine prior to administration In accordance with the vaccination Information statements (VIS), Due to potential for allergy and other adverse reactions from vaccination, Incumbent screens patients for contraindications before every vaccination, Patients that have received vaccines are observed for a minimum of 15 minutes post-vaccination and 20 minutes post-allergy Injection, Recognizes vaccination or Injection-related adverse health effects ranging from vaso-vagal response to anaphylaxis. Responds calmly and appropriately In emergency situations.Promotes and assists in the dissemination of information to patients or parents of patients regarding vaccine Information, Instructions on what to do if reactions occur post-vaccination. Disseminates Information regarding disease prevention through proper vaccination. Administrative Duties (30%) Performs and documents calibration of test equipment as applicable. Responsible for the safe and effective operation of assigned-medical equipment, and remains cognizant and compliant with all equipment preventive maintenance cycles. Establishes and maintains stock levels of all equipment, forms and consumable supplies necessary to fulfill the purpose of the Immunization Section. Maintains all equipment, Identifies malfunctions and Initiates corrections, Ensures supplies on hand do not exceed expiration dates, and replenishes those that are outdated, Ensures seamless. supply of vaccines and medications are available at all times, Ensures documented proof of vaccine cold chain whenever vaccines are moved or transported. Monitors vaccine refrigerator and freezer temperatures and initiates vaccine safety protocols when fixed storage equipment temperature Is not within acceptable ranges, Ensures physical security of needles and syringes in locked supply cabinets. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 07:00am-3:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Immunizations)/PD23403A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2025. 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. This is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Utilizing computerized systems. Experience working with patient conditions and medical interventions. Knowledge and understanding of clinical principles and impact on patient care. Communicating effectively orally and in writing. OR, Education: To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. Transcript is required.. 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 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. A transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Communication Customer Service Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Patient Care Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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: Work is typically sedentary in an office, although stooping, walking, stair climbing, and moderate lifting and carrying are required, along with reaching and prolonged standing, and providing necessary patient assistance. Manual dexterity is required. Incumbent is exposed to everyday risks and hazards of the medical profession (blood borne pathogens, infectious disease). 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 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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 http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
